

### TIMES AND SEASONS

An Alternative View of the Day of the Lord

### Jack Marshall

### Times and Seasons

An Alternative View of the Day of the Lord

### Jack Marshall

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2015 Grain of Wheat Publishing

Revised November 2018

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This free ebook may be copied, distributed, reposted, reprinted and shared, provided it

appears in its entirety without alteration, and the reader is not charged to access it.

This study is dedicated, first of all, to Sandi, my precious wife and soulmate and my gift from God, whose loving heart has changed me in so many ways. Without a doubt, she is daily proof of the grace of God in my life.

I also cannot write any study without acknowledging my three closest friends—Jackie, Steve, and Mark. Our many hours of discussion over the years have been a strong source of encouragement and enlightenment. They, too, are proof of the grace of God in my life.

Finally, I must acknowledge my brother, Allen, who has been the best "big" brother that any "little" brother could hope for. Thank you for all the help you've so freely given me over the years. Your giving spirit has always been a source of inspiration for me.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Chapter One: Time

Chapter Two: The Dividing of Time

Chapter Three: Sowing and Reaping

Chapter Four: Signs and Seasons

Chapter Five: Days and Years

Chapter Six: Time and Times

Chapter Seven: The Last Days

Chapter Eight: The Lord's Day

Chapter Nine: The Day of Trumpets

Chapter Ten: The Dead in Christ

Chapter Eleven: The Little Book

Chapter Twelve: The Day of Atonement

Chapter Thirteen: The Feast of Tabernacles

Bibliography

Introduction

I have always been fascinated by scripture. Its parables, analogies, symbols, and numbers, are an everlasting source of profound wisdom that could not have come from the mind of man alone. Forty years of study have proven this to me over and over again.

I wrote this study shortly after my first book, "The Dream – Through the Eyes of Sowing and Reaping," which took about three years, off and on. This study is a quick work, finished in a matter of weeks, and leaves much for you to think about and consider in your own heart and mind.

The subject of the Day of the Lord has long provoked the church and humankind to wonder at its mysterious message. This writing is simply my own perspective, given in the spirit of humility and hope.

There are mistakes in this presentation, not by intention, but out of ignorance. I am still and always will be learning. It has been difficult to put aside what I have inherited in order to see from a fresh perspective.

In His Grace,

Jack Marshall

Please note: All Hebrew and Greek definitions are taken from the Strong's Greek and Hebrew Dictionary unless otherwise noted. All Bible passages are taken from the New King James Bible unless otherwise noted.

### Acts 1:6-7  
Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying,

### "Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?"

### And He said to them, "It is not for you to know

### times or seasons

### which the Father has put in His own authority."

### Chapter One

TIME

Genesis 1:3-5 (NKJV)  
Then God said, "Let there be **light** "; and there was **light**. And God saw the light, that _it was_ good; and **God divided the light from the darkness**. God called the light **Day** , and the darkness He called **Night**. So the **evening** and the **morning** were the first day.

Time can be demonstrated in a linear fashion, like a straight line which runs from point A to point B. The _space_ between A and B illustrates the _time_ it takes to reach point B from point A. But the amazing thing about time is that we always exist in the "now," _in the present_ ; no past, no future, only present. Boggles the mind a little bit, doesn't it? We could say then that eternity is now, _for it is always the present moment_. In a manner of speaking, we could also say that eternity is wrapped in time, for the present moment is enveloped by the past and future, and our existence is defined by all three elements.

The story of creation in the book of Genesis is an incredible story. Though brief, there is a wealth of wisdom if we will but ponder what is written. In our passages above, we read, "Then God said, 'Let there be light'; and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night. So the evening and the morning were the first day."

There are several things here we should consider. First, "God _said_." Secondly, "light" and "darkness" and the fact that God " _divided_ the light from the darkness." Third, "God called the light _Day_ , and the darkness He called _Night_." Finally, "So the _evening_ and the _morning_ were the _first_ day."

Based on these passages, we can easily say that the "first day" was the presentation of light and darkness. And let's be careful here, for God did not create light, He simply said, "Let there be." In other words, _let that which already is_ , be evident.

1 John 1:5 (NKJV)  
This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that **God is light** and in Him is no darkness at all.

Like the natural sun which never ceases to shine, we read, " _God is light_ and in Him is no darkness at all." So when we read, "Let there _be_ light," we are not seeing the creation of the sun, for that was done on the fourth day of creation. Rather, "Let there be light" signifies the existence and presence of a superior intelligence and wisdom that far transcends any human attempt to explain it. Out of this superior wisdom proceeded all that is known.

Hebrews 11:3 (NKJV)  
By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by **the word of God** , so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.

John 1:1-5 (NKJV)  
In the beginning was the **Word** , and the **Word** was with God, and the **Word** was God. He was in the beginning with God. **All things** were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

John tells us, "In the beginning was the Word." This agrees with the fact that "God _said_ ," for "the Word" is the expression of God's thought. In Luke 8:11, Jesus taught that "the _seed_ is the _Word_ of God." This shows that the "Word" which "God said" _is_ a "seed" and contains within itself a _creative process_ similar to the cycle of any seed. And just as it is necessary for a seed to be planted in the _darkness_ of the ground to begin its cycle, God spoke, "Let there be light" into the _darkness_ of "the earth" which was "without form, and void" (Gen. 1:1-2).

The word "Word" in John 1:1 is like the word "car." Though spoken of in a singular fashion, it incorporates all of the things which make it a single unit. For this reason, the spiritual meaning of the number _one_ illustrates this. It means "unity" or "independence," depending on the context. In this case, it means both, for the Word of God in its essence, is _independent_ of man and yet _unifies_ all that is visible and invisible (Col. 1:16).

2 Corinthians 4:6 (NKJV)  
For it is the **God who commanded light to shine out of darkness** , who has shone in our hearts to _give_ the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Interestingly enough, the Strong's Concordance defines "commanded" as "to _speak_ or _say_ ," confirming that words are an expression of thought and aligning itself with the idea that "God said." To put it simply, God's "Word" is _God's wisdom expressed_. So we can say that all that has or ever will be created, issued from the mind and heart of a Supreme Being whose knowledge and understanding far exceeds our ability to comprehend it. No wonder Paul wrote, "For the wisdom of _this world_ is foolishness with God. For it is written, 'He catches the wise in their own craftiness'; and again, 'The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, _that they are futile_ '" (I Cor. 3:19-20). No amount of humankind's wisdom or intelligence is capable of explaining all that God has done or will do. Consider the following about the "wisdom" of our Maker.

Proverbs 8:22-36 (NKJV)  
"The Lord possessed me (wisdom) at the beginning of His way, before His works of old. **I have been established from everlasting, from the beginning** , before there was ever an earth. When _there were_ no depths **I was brought forth** , when _there were_ no fountains abounding with water. Before the mountains were settled, before the hills, **I was brought forth** ; while as yet He had not made the earth or the fields, or the primeval dust of the world. When He prepared the heavens, I _was_ there, when He drew a circle on the face of the deep, when He established the clouds above, when He strengthened the fountains of the deep, when He assigned to the sea its limit, so that the waters would not transgress His command, when He marked out the foundations of the earth, then I was beside Him _as_ a master craftsman; and I was daily _His_ delight, rejoicing always before Him, rejoicing in His inhabited world, and my delight _was_ with the sons of men. "Now therefore, listen to me, _my_ children, for blessed _are those who_ keep my ways. Hear instruction and be wise, and do not disdain _it._ Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. For whoever finds me finds life, and obtains favor from the Lord; but he who sins against me wrongs his own soul; All those who hate me love death."

Our passages from Proverbs in conjunction with Paul's statement in II Corinthians, show that the "light" on the first day of creation speaks of the wisdom of our Creator that shines into the darkness of this world of form in which we dwell. Just as the natural light is necessary for all life on this planet to survive, so the wisdom of our Creator is vital to the existence of all things on this planet.

Genesis 1:4 (NKJV)  
... and God **divided** the light from the darkness.

As we see, once the light of our Father was present, He " _divided_ the light from the darkness," _giving us the components necessary for time_. Yet, this is not natural time, for that is reserved until the fourth day of creation. Instead, the light and darkness of the first day speak of the _purpose_ of God in creation as defined by His wisdom, not only in humankind, but in all things. The laws that define how the earth rotates around the sun, how a child is formed in the womb, or how the properties of atoms and molecules work, found their expression as the Lord designed the visible realm by the power of His creative process. And these laws, and His purpose in them, _are still working_. Our discoveries in science and technology are merely glimpses into these divine processes set in motion so many ages ago.

Now, let me say this. Genesis is the book of "origin" or "beginning," and as Jesus taught, "The _seed_ is the Word of God" (Luke 8:11). So we find that what begins with the _seed_ of the Word or wisdom of God in Genesis is revealed in its _fullness_ or _fruition_ in the last book of the Bible, the book of the Revelation. In other words, through careful examination, we discover a cycle of _sowing and reaping_ , of _seedtime_ and _harvest_ , in both the _natural_ and _spiritual_ realms of our existence, set in motion by our Divine Source from the beginning of time. It is safe to say then that _sowing and reaping is the universal structure of all things that exist_ , both visible and invisible, _for all things as we know it begin with a seed_. Whether we speak of the existence of all visible form or of the invisible components of wisdom, knowledge and understanding, the onset of light and darkness began this process which is now being worked out in this space we know as time.

Genesis 1:5 (NKJV)  
God called the light **Day** , and the darkness He called **Night**.

If we are correct in our understanding of the "light" of God, then we can say that the "Day" of Genesis 1:5 _is not a natural day_ , but indicative of God's spiritual wisdom which we have defined. Out of this wisdom proceeds God's divine purpose in all things.

In direct contrast to the light of day is the "darkness" of "Night." So simple logic dictates to us that "darkness" and "Night" are the _absence_ of the light, or our _ignorance_ of our Creator's wisdom, of His process and purpose in humankind. Yet, _there must be darkness_ , it is essential; for it is necessary for the light to shine. So it is that we read, " _Evening_ and _morning_ " for each of the seven days of creation. Not " _morning_ and _evening_ ," but " _evening_ and _morning_." This shows that all that exists in the world of form _is_ "darkness," for without the light of the sun, everything on this planet would cease to exist. And the same is true of our spiritual existence. Apart from God and His eternal wisdom, we are _empty_ and _void_. Yet the idea of darkness, as we have come to consider it, doesn't mean that something is necessarily evil. Rather, and I emphasize, it speaks of the need of the light to survive, evolve, and thrive.

# Chapter Two

# THE DIVIDING OF TIME

Genesis 1:14-19 (NKJV)  
Then God said, "Let there be **lights** in the firmament of the heavens **to divide the day from the night** ; and **let them be for signs and seasons, and for days and years** ; and let them be for lights in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth"; and it was so. Then God made **two great lights** : the **greater light to rule the day** , and **the lesser light to rule the night**. _He made_ the stars also. God set them in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth, and **to rule over the day and over the night** , and **to divide the light from the darkness**. And God saw that _it was_ good. So the evening and the morning were the **fourth** day.

As we discovered, the components of light and darkness are necessary for the advent of time, and this was done on the first day of creation. Now we come to the _fourth_ day of creation, the spiritual meaning of the number itself enhancing our understanding. Consider E.W. Bullinger's explanation from _Number in Scripture – Its Supernatural Design and Spiritual Significance_.

We have seen that _three_ signifies Divine perfection.

Now the number _four_ is made up of three and one (3+1=4), and it denotes, therefore, and marks that which follows the revelation of God, namely, _His creative works_. He is known by the things that are seen. Hence the written revelation commences with the words, "In-the-beginning God CREATED." Creation is therefore the next thing—the _fourth_ thing, and the number _four_ always has reference to all that is _created_. It is emphatically the _number of Creation_ ; of man in his relation to the world as created; while _six_ is the number of man in his opposition to and independence of God. It is the number of things that have a beginning, of things that are made, of material things, and matter itself. It is the number of _material completeness_. Hence it is the _world number_ , and especially the "city" number.

The _fourth_ day saw the _material creation_ finished (for on the _fifth_ and _sixth_ days it was only the _furnishing_ and _peopling_ of the earth with living creatures). The sun, moon, and stars completed the work, and they were to give light upon the earth which had been created, and to rule over the day and over the night (Gen 1:14-19).

_Four_ is the number of the great elements—earth, air, fire, and water.

_Four_ are the regions of the earth—north, south, east, and west.

_Four_ are the divisions of the day—morning, noon, evening, and midnight. Or in our Lord's words, when He speaks of His coming at evening, midnight, cock-crowing, or in the morning (Mark 13:35). We are never to put off His coming in our minds beyond tomorrow morning.

_Four_ are the seasons of the year—spring, summer, autumn, and winter.

_Four_ are the great variations of the lunar phases.

In Genesis 2:10, 11, the one river of Paradise was parted, and became into _four_ heads, and "the fourth river is Euphrates." Here, as so often elsewhere, the four is made up of 3 + 1. For three of these rivers are now unnamed, while _one_ is still known by its original name "Euphrates."

_Four_ marks _division_ also. For the river was " _parted_." It is the first number which is not a "prime," the first which can be _divided_. It is the first _square_ number also, and therefore it marks a kind of _completeness_ as well, which we have called _material completeness_.

_Four_ is the number of "creation" itself, as well as a _foundation_ , for on the _fourth_ day the "material creation" was "finished," the _foundation_ established for the "furnishing and peopling of the earth with living creatures."

On this fourth day we read, "'Let there be _lights_ in the firmament of the heavens _to divide the day from the night_ ; and let them be for _signs_ and _seasons_ , and for _days_ and _years_ ; and let them be for lights in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth'; and it was so." We then read that "God made _two great lights_ : the greater light to _rule_ the day, and the lesser light to _rule_ the night. He made the stars also."

Our word "rule" is defined by Strong's as, " _Rule_ ; also (concrete in plural) a _realm_ or a _ruler_." All of us know about the natural light of the sun and the moon (which is merely a reflection of the light of the sun), but what is meant by this word "rule" and the idea of "a realm or a ruler?" Would this relate to our first day of creation and the understanding of light and darkness? After all, didn't He put " _lights_ in the firmament of the heavens to _divide_ the day from the night?" Does this division reflect the division of the light and darkness on the first day? What does all of this mean to us?

Matthew 4:16 (KJV)  
The people which sat in darkness saw **great light** ; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death **light is sprung up**.

This passage is in reference to Jesus entering the land of Zebulun and Naphtali after His temptation in the wilderness. This was the fulfillment of the prophecy of Isaiah, Chapter 9, verses 1 and 2. Note the phrases, "The people which _sat in darkness_ " in contrast to "saw _great light_." Does this agree with "the _greater light_ to rule the day?" And who was this "great light?" It was, of course, _Jesus the Christ_. Consider the following from the book of Luke.

Luke 1:79 (KJV)  
**To give light to them that sit in darkness** and _in_ the shadow of death, **to guide our feet into the way of peace**.

When it is dark, light is needed in order to see where we are going, so in its spiritual sense, light is needful "to guide our feet into the way of peace." You see, my friend, the "greater light" and "lesser light" of the sun and the moon are merely natural creations which speak of a spiritual design and purpose that is working in humankind. Just as "Day" _is_ "light" and "Night" _is_ "darkness," our natural and spiritual existence is directed by "two great lights" which are necessary for our evolvement.

John 1:4-7 (KJV)  
In him was **life** ; and **the life was the light of men**. And the **light** shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. There was a man sent from God, whose name _was_ John. The same came for a witness, **to bear witness of the Light** , that all _men_ through him might believe.

Here we go; "In Him was _life_ ; and the _life_ was the _light_ of men." As we have said, the natural light of the sun is necessary for _all_ life on this planet, and the "light" or "life" that is seen in Christ is also necessary for _all_ life on this planet.

John 8:12 (KJV)  
Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, **I am the light of the world** : he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have **the light of life**.

Look once more at II Corinthians 4:6.

2 Corinthians 4:6 (KJV)  
For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, **to** _give_ **the light of the knowledge of the glory of God** in the face of Jesus Christ.

As shown, the "light" is "the _knowledge of the glory of God_ in the face of Jesus Christ." But this suggests more than just knowledge, for light is an _energy source_ that issues from fire, an essential element of our existence which harbors the attributes of illumination and heat, of brightness and burning. How it affects us is determined by how we respond to it. So it is that we read, "For our God is a _consuming fire_ " (Heb. 12:29; KJV). Our word "consuming" in Greek reads, "To _consume utterly_." I immediately think of the passage that reads, "For in Him we live, and move, and have our being" (Acts 17:28). Just as all of us conduct our business from day to day, most often in the light, so too is the light of the divine purpose of our Maker working within and around us at all times. None of us are exempt from the light of life as witnessed through Christ and from those whom He chose. Two thousand years later, we are still being affected by it. And even though what sprang out of the days of the ministry of Christ and the apostles has led to much confusion, greed, jealousy, hatred, envy, and murder, it hasn't changed the fact that underlying it all are "two great lights" that take precedence over the "Day" and the "Night" of our being. There is a higher form of government than that which resides over the various countries of this planet, a divine will and purpose that is perfect in its scope and execution and which is leading us to a transformation of all that we presently know.

Now, let me be more specific about our "two great lights" and what they represent. Not surprisingly, they symbolize the _Two Covenants_ as illustrated by the Old Testament and the New (the word "testament" means "covenant"). Please consider.

Galatians 4:22-26 (NKJV)  
For it is written that Abraham had two sons: the one by a bondwoman, the other by a freewoman. But he _who was_ of the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and he of the freewoman through promise, **which things are symbolic**. **For these are the two covenants** : the one from Mount Sinai which gives birth to bondage, which is Hagar-- for this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and corresponds to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children-- but the Jerusalem above is free, which is the mother of us all.

As Paul wrote, there are two covenants, the "one from Mount Sinai," where Moses received the Ten Commandments written in stone by "the finger of God" (Exod. 31:18), and symbolized by Abraham's slave, Hagar. The second covenant is symbolized by Abraham's wife, Sarah, and represents "Jerusalem above" which "is free, which is the mother of us all." Clearly, the first covenant was given to Moses on Mount Sinai. The second reads as follows (See also Jer. 31:31-34).

Hebrews 8:7-13 (NKJV)  
For if that **first** _covenant_ had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a **second**. Because finding fault with them, He says: "Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a **new covenant** with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah-- not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they did not continue in My covenant, and I disregarded them, says the Lord. For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: **I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts** ; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. None of them shall teach his neighbor, and none his brother, saying, 'Know the Lord,' for all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them. For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more." In that He says, "A **new covenant** ," He has made the first obsolete. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.

As we see, the "new covenant" supersedes the old, making "the first obsolete. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away." This tells us that both covenants are relevant at this time. In fact, the two covenants are joined. Why do I say this? Because the New Covenant is not the passing away of the law of God which was given to Moses, but the "writing" of this same law into the minds and hearts of humankind. Instead of being written by "the finger of God" in stone, it is put into the mind and written in the heart of those who receive it. It is the law becoming "spiritual" (Rom. 7:14), fulfilled through love (Rom. 13:10).

Notice the phrase, "But he who was of the bondwoman was _born according to the flesh_ , and he of the freewoman _through promise_." This is explained by the following.

1 Corinthians 15:44-45 (NKJV)  
It is sown **a natural body** , it is raised **a spiritual body**. There is **a natural body** , and there is **a spiritual body**. And so it is written, _"The first man Adam became a living being_ (living soul) _."_ The last Adam _became_ a life-giving spirit.

Romans 3:31 (KJV)  
Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, **we establish the law**.

To put it simply, our "two great lights" seen in Genesis, point to the "greater light" of the New Covenant which rules the "Day," which, like the light of the moon from the sun, is intimately connected to the "lesser light" that rules the "Night." The Old Covenant out of which the law sprang forth, resides over the "natural body" or "natural man" of our being, that which was "born according to the flesh," whereas the New Covenant resides over the "spiritual body" or "spiritual man" of our being, that which was born "through promise." The work of these two covenants are in place to _divide_ the "light" from the "darkness," separating us from the "bondage" of our natural being or _self_ , into the "glorious liberty of the children of God" (Rom. 8:21), our true spiritual essence. No wonder Jesus taught, "If any man will come after me, _let him deny himself_ , and take up his cross, and follow me" (Matt. 16:24; KJV).

Before we enter the next chapter, I must mention that the spiritual meaning of the number _two_ is "division" or "witness" (Bullinger). When two disagree, we have _division_ , but when two agree, we have a _witness_. Incorporated into our _two_ covenants, both of these meanings are relevant. Please consider.

Hebrews 4:12 (KJV)  
For the **word of God** _is_ quick, and powerful, and sharper than any **twoedged** sword, piercing even to the **dividing** asunder of **soul** and **spirit** , and of the **joints** and **marrow** , and _is_ a discerner of the **thoughts** and **intents** of the heart.

Once again, we arrive back to the "Word of God," the light of life, which is "quick (living) and powerful, and sharper than any _two-_ edged sword." The two covenants of this Word are always present _to divide the light from the darkness_ , the soul or self from the spiritual essence which resides within. Through this dynamic process, even the "thoughts and intents" of the heart are brought to bear, made evident by the law of God, which is reflected by the laws of society and our own conscience. So you see, it doesn't matter where you are born or what religion you embrace, the covenants of our Creator were set into motion since the beginning of time and work in all humankind, bearing _witness_ of the divine rule of the "two great lights." As we will see, these two covenants reflect the principle of sowing and reaping defined by Paul in Galatians, Chapter 6.

# Chapter Three

# SOWING AND REAPING

Remember, time can be demonstrated in a linear fashion, the space between point A and point B. With this in mind, consider the following illustration.

This illustration is what is known as a sine wave. For what it's worth, here are a couple of definitions from _The Free Dictionary by Farlex_ online.

A waveform with deviation that can be graphically expressed as the sine curve.

(General Physics) any oscillation, such as a sound wave or alternating current, whose waveform is that of a sine curve.

As we see, the sine wave is an illustration of either the alternating current of electricity or a sound wave (or any force that produces waves). It's perfect for our understanding in that it shows the component of time. From point A to point B is a full cycle, and time can be illustrated as the space necessary for this cycle to complete. Here's another illustration to consider.

Notice where our wavelength begins and ends in the previous illustration, beginning with the first peak and ending with the second. Again, this would be a complete cycle. With this in mind, we can use it to illustrate the following.

Once we change our cycle as shown above, we can use it to describe how sowing begins with a seed, which contains the instructions within itself to reproduce what it is (Gen. 1:11). So point A represents the seed which is sown or planted in the ground. Once this happens, the seed undergoes a process which leads to a small plant called a seedling. As the process continues, this seedling develops into maturity, arriving at point B where it is fully grown and able to provide food (such as a fruit tree), and an abundance of seeds for further planting (exponential principle; _one_ seed to _many_ seeds).

As we have previously mentioned, sowing and reaping (seedtime and harvest), is _the universal structure of all things that exist_ , for all that we know, both visible and invisible, began with and issued from the "seed" of the creative Word of our Maker. So, whether we consider this amazing cycle in the visible things of nature and form, or its counterpart in the invisible things of wisdom and knowledge, the time that is necessary for the cycle of the seed to mature is true in both. With this understanding in mind, consider the following from Galatians, Chapter 6.

Galatians 6:7-10 (NKJV)  
**Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap**. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season **we shall reap** if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, **let us do good to all** , especially to those who are of the household of faith.

Consider the powerful injunction of these words which Paul wrote. "Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man _sows_ , that he will also _reap_." _This is an indisputable fact_ , not for some, _but for all of us_. Evidence of this process exists all around us in the visible and invisible realms of our existence. So, would it surprise you to know that the Old and New Testaments or "covenants," if you will, are simply expanded perspectives of this same principle? Let's take a moment to consider this.

As recorded in Galatians, we see two sides to the principle of sowing and reaping, "our" flesh or "the" Spirit. Notice how the first side of this principle reads, "For he who sows _to his flesh_ will of the flesh reap corruption." In other words, when we act out of our own will in regard to the temporary desires of this world of form, we reap "corruption." Corruption is simply _the temporary existence of all form_ , designed to last for a designated time. For this reason, John wrote, "And the world is _passing away_ , and _the lust_ (strong desires) of it" (I John 2:17).

We then read, "But he who sows to _the Spirit_ will of the Spirit reap everlasting life." Note "the" Spirit, in other words, _the Spirit of our Creator_. This denotes the sowing of those things _which align with the will of God_. Simply put, it is "our" will or sowing to _our own flesh_ , or "His" will, sowing _to His Spirit_. But having said this, even our will is restricted by the will of our Maker, for our human governments are merely reflections of the divine government of God which resides in our conscience (see Rom. 13:1-7; NIV).

Within the principle of sowing and reaping, we have the _will_ of man and the _will_ of God. Now, a "testament" or "covenant" is a document or declaration of someone's "will." The definition of "testament" from the _Merriam-Webster Dictionary_ online reads, "A covenant between God and the human race," also, "An act by which a person determines the disposition of his or her property after death," and finally, "Will." Knowing this, consider the following from the book of Hebrews once more.

Hebrews 8:7-13 (NIV)  
For if there had been nothing wrong with that **first covenant** , _no place would have been sought for another_. But God found fault with the people and said: "The time is coming, declares the Lord, when **I will make a new covenant** with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. It will not be like the covenant I made with their forefathers when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they did not remain faithful to my covenant, and I turned away from them, declares the Lord. **This is the covenant** I will make with the house of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. _I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts_. I will be their God, and they will be my people. No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, 'Know the Lord,' because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest. For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more." **By calling this covenant "new," he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and aging will soon disappear.**

As we previously considered, the writer of Hebrews compares the "first covenant," which was instituted by Moses and the children of Israel, to a "new covenant," which states, "I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts." Out of the Old Covenant came the law which was given to Moses on Mount Sinai, summed up in what all of us know as the Ten Commandments (Exod. 19:17-20:17). But the law stipulated the will of God to the people of Israel and included many other things, not the least of which was the Tabernacle of Witness and the three great Feasts of Israel. We are clearly told in Hebrews 8:5 that the Tabernacle or sanctuary "is a _copy_ and _shadow_ of what is in heaven" and "this is why Moses was warned when he was about to build the tabernacle: 'See to it that you make everything _according to the pattern_ shown you on the mountain.'" Please consider.

2 Corinthians 3:7-18 (NIV)  
Now if **the ministry that brought death** , which was engraved in letters on stone, came with glory, so that the Israelites could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of its glory, fading though it was, will not **the ministry of the Spirit** be even more glorious? If **the ministry that condemns men** is glorious, how much more glorious is **the ministry that brings righteousness**! For what was glorious has no glory now in comparison with the surpassing glory. **And if what was fading away came with glory** , how much greater is the glory of that which lasts! Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold. We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to keep the Israelites from gazing at it while the radiance was fading away. But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the **old covenant** is read. **It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away**. Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. **But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away**. Now **the Lord is the Spirit** , and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, **which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit**.

In these passages, Paul shows that the Old Covenant and law was "the ministry that brought death" and "condemns men." In other words, when we sow to our own flesh, _we reap corruption, the passing away of temporal things_. However, the New Covenant is "the ministry of the Spirit," the "ministry that brings _righteousness_." Paul makes it very clear that he is speaking of the "old covenant" in contrast with the new, which "in Christ," is "taken away."

Galatians 3:21 (NKJV)  
_Is_ the **law** then against the promises of God? Certainly not! For if there had been a law given which could have given **life** , truly **righteousness** would have been by the law.

Romans 3:31 (NKJV)  
Do we then make void the law through faith? Certainly not! On the contrary, **we establish the law**.

Note in Galatians 3:21 how Paul equates "life" as "righteousness." Then consider that Paul tells us that we do not make the law "void" through faith. "On the contrary, we _establish_ the law," for the New Covenant is the placing of this law into our minds and the writing of this law in our hearts. It is the work of "the Spirit of the Lord" within that transforms us from our will to His will. When His will is done, we have sown to "the Spirit."

John 4:34-38 (NKJV)  
Jesus said to them, "My food is **to do the will of Him who sent Me** , and to finish His work. Do you not say, 'There are still four months and _then_ comes the **harvest** '? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for **harvest**! And he who **reaps** receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, that both he who **sows** and he who **reaps** may rejoice together. For in this the saying is true: ' _One sows and another reaps_.' I sent you to **reap** that for which you have not labored; others have labored, and you have entered into their labors."

# Chapter Four

# SIGNS AND SEASONS

Genesis 1:14-19 (NKJV)  
Then God said, "Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to divide the day from the night; and let them be for **signs** and **seasons** , and for **days** and **years** ; and let them be for lights in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth"; and it was so. Then God made two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night. _He made_ the stars also. God set them in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth, and to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness. And God saw that _it was_ good. So the evening and the morning were the **fourth** day.

The natural sun is a symbol or "sign" of the New Covenant. The natural moon is a symbol or "sign" of the Old Covenant, for the Old Testament, out of which sprang the law, was insufficient in producing righteousness. For both covenants, time is a necessary element, because the cycle of sowing and reaping requires it for the "seed" to arrive at a tree which bears "fruit."

Ecclesiastes 3:1-2 (NKJV)  
To everything _there is_ a **season** , a **time** for every purpose under heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; _a time to plant, and a time to pluck_ _what is_ _planted_ ...

As Solomon wrote, "To everything there is a _season_ , a _time_ for every purpose under heaven." Time is a necessary element in order to have seasons and can be further defined as "days and years." So just as our "two great lights" or covenants are in place to "rule" the "day" and "night" of our present existence, so too have they remained through the "days and years" of humankind's evolvement. We have been under the principle of sowing and reaping from the beginning of our existence. The evidence is easily seen in the exponential increase of the world's population along with the continual progress of our technology and science. As Jesus said, "' _One sows and another reaps_.' I sent you to _reap_ that for which you have not labored; others have labored, and you have entered into their labors" (John 4:38). What we know and have today has been built upon the labor of those who came before us.

Daniel 2:21-22 (NKJV)  
And **He changes the times and the seasons** ; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding. He reveals deep and secret things; He knows what _is_ in the darkness, and light dwells with Him.

Acts 1:7 (NKJV)  
And He said to them, "It is not for you to know **times or seasons** which the Father has put in His own authority."

Beneath the surface of the natural plane of sowing and reaping lies the spiritual purpose of our Maker, integrated into our being and reflected in the two covenants. This tells us that there is nothing random about our existence and what is happening on our planet. "To everything there is a _season_ , a _time_ for _every purpose_ under heaven." And yet, He can change the times and seasons since they are "in His own authority." We must be careful then to think that we can predict what lies ahead. This has led to many erroneous teachings which have produced false hope and led us astray from the real purpose behind the covenants, _which is righteousness_. Righteousness simply means "right behavior," the essence of the well-being of all things, the will of our Creator.

The definitions of "season" from _The Free Dictionary by Farlex_ online reads, "One of the _four_ natural divisions of the year, spring, summer, fall, and winter, in the North and South Temperate zones. Each season, beginning astronomically at an equinox or solstice, is characterized by specific meteorological or climatic conditions," and "A recurrent period characterized by certain occurrences, occupations, festivities, or crops." The fact that our two great lights were given on the _fourth_ day, along with the _four_ seasons, speaks to us of the "creative" work of God.

We cannot speak of seasons without considering the three great Feasts of Israel in the Old Testament. These three feasts in Israel's annual cycle of religious ceremonies were:

1. The Feast of the Passover

2. The Feast of Pentecost

3. The Feast of Tabernacles

I immediately think of the spiritual meaning of the number _three_. Please consider.

Mark 4:26-29 (NKJV)  
And He said, "The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground, and should **sleep by night** and **rise by day** , and the seed should sprout and grow, he himself does not know how. For the earth yields crops by itself: **first the blade** (1), **then the head** (2), after that **the full grain in the head** (3). But when the grain ripens, immediately he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come."

As this brief parable indicates, _three_ defines the "work" of the seed _above_ the ground, the principle of sowing and reaping made evident. So in our three feasts we see the "work" of God in Israel.

Our _three_ feasts consist of _seven_ major events, three which comprise the Feast of Passover, then one which stood alone, Pentecost, and then the remaining three events which comprise the Feast of Tabernacles.

1. **The Feast of the Passover** ; or Feast of Unleavened Bread

This feast consisted of:

The Passover (Exod. 12:1-23; Lev. 23:4, 5; Deut. 16:1-3)

The Unleavened Bread (Exod. 12:18; 23:15; Lev. 23:6-8; Deut. 16:3-4)

The Sheaf of Firstfruits (Lev. 23:10-14)

2. **The Feast of Pentecost** , or Feast of Weeks, of Harvest, of Firstfruits

(Exod. 23:16; Lev. 23:15-21; Deut. 16:9-12; Acts 2:1)

3. **The Feast of Tabernacles** , or the Feast of Booths, or of Ingathering

This feast consisted of:

The Blowing of Trumpets (Lev. 23:24-25)

The Day of Atonement (Lev. 16; 23:27-32)

The Feast of Tabernacles (Exod. 23:16; Lev. 23:34-44; Deut. 16:13-15)

We cannot continue our examination without considering the spiritual meaning of _seven_ , for it is one of the more important numbers in scripture. The number _seven_ is taken from the Hebrew root which means, " _To be full_ or _satisfied_ , _have enough of_." Bullinger wrote, "Hence the meaning of the word 'seven' is dominated by this root, for on the _seventh_ day God rested from the work of Creation. It was full and complete, and good and perfect. Nothing could be added to it or taken from it without marring it." Also, "It is seven, therefore, that stamps with perfection and completeness that in connection with which it is used. Of time, it tells of the Sabbath, and marks off the week of seven days, which, artificial as it may seem to be, is universal and immemorial in its observance amongst all nations and in all times. It tells of that eternal Sabbath-keeping which remains for the people of God in all its everlasting perfection. In the creative works of God, seven completes the colors of the spectrum and rainbow, and satisfies in music the notes of the scale. In each of these the eighth is only a repetition of the first."

Is it merely coincidence that our three feasts, the work of the seed of the living Word, consists of seven segments, which would typify the fullness or harvest of the seed which was sown? When added together, we have ten, which means "that the whole cycle is complete" (Bullinger). Doesn't this fit with our illustration of the sine wave and our principle of sowing and reaping? Furthermore, the Feasts of Israel were all agricultural festivals. Although they were spelled out in detail during Israel's sojourn in the wilderness, they could not be celebrated until Israel entered the land of promise. While in the wilderness, Israel had no crops. The celebration of Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles focused around the planting and ingathering of barley, wheat, olives, and grapes, and the rest of the yield of the land. Is this not a clear and concise indication of our principle of sowing and reaping, of seedtime and harvest?

To illustrate the Feasts and the spiritual meaning of the numbers involved, I would like to use the "lampstand" that was placed in the Holy Place of the Tabernacle of Witness (also called the Tabernacle of Moses). Here's why.

Matthew 5:14-16 (NKJV)  
You are the **light** of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, **but on a lampstand** , and it gives light to all _who are_ in the house. **Let your light so shine before men** , that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

John 9:5 (KJV)  
As long as I am in the world, **I am the light of the world**.

I don't believe these passages need explanation. Now, let's consider the instructions for the lampstand from the book of Exodus.

Exodus 25:31-40 (NIV)  
"Make **a lampstand of pure gold** and hammer it out, base and shaft; its flowerlike cups, buds and blossoms shall be of **one piece** with it. **Six** branches are to extend from the sides of the lampstand-- **three** on one side and **three** on the other. **Three** cups shaped like almond flowers with buds and blossoms are to be on one branch, **three** on the next branch, and **the same for all six branches** extending from the lampstand. And on the lampstand there are to be **four** cups shaped like almond flowers with buds and blossoms. One bud shall be under the first pair of branches extending from the lampstand, a second bud under the second pair, and a third bud under the third pair--six branches in all. The buds and branches shall all be of **one piece** with the lampstand, hammered out of pure gold. "Then make its **seven** lamps and set them up on it so that they light the space in front of it. Its wick trimmers and trays are to be of pure gold. A talent of pure gold is to be used for the lampstand and all these accessories. See that you make them according to the pattern shown you on the mountain." With our lampstand in mind, here's my illustration.

As we see in this illustration, our three feasts, along with their seven components, match perfectly with the lampstand, the three branches on the left representing the three components of the Feast of Passover, the central branch representing the Feast of Pentecost, and the three branches on the right signifying the three components of the Feast of Tabernacles.

First, let's consider that the lampstand was to be hammered out of "one piece." _One_ is the number of "unity" or "independence," and as we previously considered, both are relevant. Bullinger wrote, "Independence, in God, is His glory. Independence in man, is his sin, and rebellion, and shame." Furthermore, "It marks the beginning" and "in all languages, it is the symbol of unity." Seen in the feasts is God's independence, for He alone instituted these festivals as a "shadow of heavenly things" (Heb. 8:5; KJV) and "of good things to come" (Heb. 10:1; KJV). Yet, from out of this independence, God invoked a unity in the people of Israel that was astounding in its own right. Through the observance of the feasts and the ordinances of the Tabernacle, anyone outside the nation of Israel would have been amazed to see it.

Six branches were to extend from the sides of the lampstand. Consider Bullinger's explanation of the spiritual meaning of _six_.

Six is either 4 _plus_ 2, i.e., man's world (4) with man's enmity to God (2) brought in: or it is 5 _plus_ 1, the grace of God made of none effect by man's addition to it, or perversion, or corruption of it: or it is 7 _minus_ 1, i.e., man's coming short of spiritual perfection. In any case, therefore, it has to do with _man_ ; it is the number of imperfection; the human number; the number of MAN as destitute of God, without God, without Christ.

The _six_ branches which connect to the central branch of the lampstand signify the "imperfection" of man and his resistance to the covenants of God, first with Israel, or the left side of the lampstand (3), then with the nations, or the right side of the lampstand (3). And again, the "work" (3) of the "seed" of God's living Word is apparent on both sides.

On each of the six branches are "three cups," giving us a total of _eighteen_ or "666" (Rev.13:18). In his book, _Biblical Mathematics_ , Ed Vallowe tells us that _eighteen_ is the number which stands for "bondage." Despite the traditional take on the "mark" of the beast, our number "666" reveals the "work" (3) or law of God that conquers "man's enmity" (6) with Him (Psalms 19:7).

Romans 8:21 (NKJV)  
... because the creation itself also **will be delivered from the bondage of corruption** into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

Paul states that "the creation itself also will be delivered from the _bondage_ of _corruption_ into the glorious liberty of the children of God." Would this not be a shift from sowing to our flesh and reaping _corruption_ to sowing to the Spirit and reaping _everlasting life_?

We then find "four cups" on the central branch of "the lampstand." _Four_ is our "world" number, and didn't Christ give His life for the world? It is also the number of a "foundation."

Matthew 13:35 (KJV)  
That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from **the foundation of the world**.

1 Corinthians 3:11 (KJV)  
For other **foundation** can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

Simply put, the "the foundation (4) of the world" speaks of the _law of God_ while the "foundation" (4) of Christ speaks of its _spiritual nature_. Through this divine design, we enter the foundation of the world first (the spiritual is not first, but the _natural_ ; I Cor. 15:46) in order to transcend into the foundation of Christ (and afterward the _spiritual_ ; I Cor. 15:46). So when we add the two fours together, we have _eight_ , the number "associated with _resurrection_ and _regeneration_ , and the beginning of a new era or order" (Bullinger).

The central branch of the lampstand _joins_ the _two_ sets of three branches together. Remember, _two_ is "witness" or "division," and both are seen; Israel on the left, the nations on the right. For a time, Israel was divided from the rest of the world as indicated by the Old Testament. However, through Christ, what began with Israel was destined to find its way into all the world. Two also confirms our two covenants, testaments, or will of God, the principle of sowing and reaping by which all of this has and is being accomplished.

Ephesians 2:13-16 (NKJV)  
But now **in Christ Jesus** _you who once were far off_ (nations; rendered "Gentiles" in the King James) have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, **who has made both one** , and _has broken down the middle wall of separation_ , having abolished in His flesh the enmity, _that is,_ the law of commandments _contained_ in ordinances, **so as to create in Himself one new man** _from_ **the two** , _thus_ making peace, and that **He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross** , thereby putting to death the enmity.

Do you see it? The central branch speaks of Christ, who, collectively speaking, "has broken down the middle wall of separation," making both Israel and the nations "one" in Him. But individually, the Lord is also creating "in Himself _one new man from the two_ ," in other words, He is bringing together the _natural_ and _spiritual_ elements of our being. No wonder Christ said, "For indeed, the kingdom of God is _within_ you" (Luke 17:1).

When we consider all of the branches together, we have, of course, _seven_. As we know, this speaks of "fullness," signifying that all that is necessary for the _fulfillment_ (7) of God's purpose in humankind is reflected through everything we have considered.

Finally, I must mention that when we add the _eighteen_ cups of the six branches together with the _four_ cups of the central shaft, we have _twenty-two_ , the number which stands for "light" (Vallowe). Is it just coincidence that the book of _the Revelation of Jesus Christ_ has _twenty-two_ chapters, showing what begins as the "seed" of the "light" of the divine wisdom of our Creator in Genesis or the "beginning" (let there be light), culminates as the "fullness" of that "seed" in Revelation (and there was light; see Rev. 21:11, 23, 24; 22:5)?

As we have discovered, time is necessary for the seasons of sowing and reaping. Without day and night, light and darkness, nothing would germinate and grow.

Integrated into the natural creation and in the designs of the Tabernacle and the ordinances of the feasts are "signs" to you and me of a divine purpose in humankind. Much of this purpose has passed, but there is more to come. Humankind is on a journey.

# Chapter Five

# DAYS AND YEARS

Genesis 1:14-19 (NKJV)  
Then God said, "Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to divide the day from the night; and let them be for **signs** and **seasons** , and for **days** and **years** ; and let them be for lights in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth"; and it was so. Then God made two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night. _He made_ the stars also. God set them in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth, and to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness. And God saw that _it was_ good. So the evening and the morning were the **fourth** day.

We have briefly considered the "signs and seasons." Let's now consider "days and years."

We have already discovered that God called the _light_ "Day" (Gen. 1:5), so "day" is not just about time but also "light."

John 1:1-5 (NKJV)  
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and **the life was the light of men**. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

John 8:12 (KJV)  
Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, **I am the light of the world** : _he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness_ , but shall have **the light of life**.

Galatians 3:21 (KJV)  
_Is_ the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given **life** , verily **righteousness** should have been by the law.

In our passage from Galatians, remember that Paul interchanges the word "life" with "righteousness." In our passages from John, we see that "light" speaks of "life." Life, therefore, _is_ righteousness, _a right relationship with our Creator and with all things on this planet_. It is this which is needed in our present existence, and where I believe humankind is evolving. The gospel has never been about "going to heaven" after we die, but entering the "kingdom of heaven" while we live on this earth. This was the testimony of the man, Christ Jesus. For this reason Jesus said, "But seek first _the kingdom of God and His righteousness_ , and all these things (what we eat and drink, clothes, etc.) shall be added to you" (Matt. 6:33). Isn't this a clear indication that we seek for His kingdom while we live on this earth? Of course!

John 11:9-10 (NKJV)  
Jesus answered, " **Are there not twelve hours in the day**? _If anyone walks in the day_ , he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. But if one walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him."

As mentioned, "day" is not so much about time as it is about "light." In confirmation, we read, "Are there not _twelve_ hours in the _day_? If anyone walks _in the day_ , he does not stumble, because _he sees the light_ of this world." So you see, it is about the light of life that directs our path while in the darkness of this world of form.

It is for good reason that Jesus spoke of "twelve hours" in the day. The number _twelve_ has an important spiritual meaning. Consider Bullinger's explanation.

Twelve is a perfect number, signifying _perfection of government_ , or of _governmental perfection_. It is found as a multiple in all that has to do with _rule_. The sun which "rules" the day, and the moon and stars which "govern" the night, do so by their passage through the _twelve_ signs of the Zodiac which completes the great circle of the heavens of 360 (12 x 30) degrees or divisions, and thus govern the year.

_Twelve_ is the _product_ of 3 (the perfectly Divine and heavenly number) and 4 (the earthly, the number of what is material and organic).

While _seven_ is composed of 3 _added_ to 4, _twelve_ is 3 _multiplied_ by 4, and hence denotes that which can scarcely be explained in words, but which the spiritual perception can at once appreciate, viz., _organization_ , the products denoting production and multiplication and increase of all that is contained in the two numbers separately. The 4 is generally prominently seen in the _twelve_.

THERE WERE TWELVE PATRIARCHS from Seth to Noah and his family, and _twelve_ from Shem to Jacob.

THE TWELVE SONS OF ISRAEL though actually thirteen in number, there are never more than _twelve_ names in any one list. There are about 18 enumerations altogether, but in each list one or other is omitted. Generally it is Levi, but not always. In Revelation 7 both Dan and Ephraim are omitted, but the enumeration is still _twelve_ , Levi and Joseph being introduced for this special sealing of the remnant which shall go unscathed through the great tribulation.

Then there were _twelve_ Judges or Saviours.

THE TEMPLE OF SOLOMON has the number _twelve_ as the predominating factor, in contrast with the Tabernacle, which had the number five. This agrees with the _grace_ which shines in the Tabernacle, and with the _glory_ of the kingdom which is displayed in the Temple.

When we come to the New Testament we find the same great principle pervading the Apostolic government as we see in the Patriarchal and National, for we have:

The _twelve_ Apostles.

The _twelve_ foundations in the heavenly Jerusalem.

The _twelve_ gates.

The _twelve_ pearls.

The _twelve_ angels.

THE MEASUREMENT OF THE NEW JERUSALEM will be 12,000 furlongs square, while the wall will be 144 (12 x 12) cubits, Revelation 21:16,17.

The number of the sealed in Revelation 7:4 will be 144,000, and all that has to do with the _Twelve_ Tribes is necessarily pervaded by this number, such as the stones in the High Priest's breastplate, the stones taken out of the Jordan, the number of the spies, etc. etc., and therefore we have not referred to all such references in these pages.

TWELVE PERSONS WERE ANOINTED for government of various kinds. Of course, all kings, priests, prophets, and healed lepers were anointed; but the circumstances of the anointing of _twelve_ individuals is specially recorded. Of these, five were priests (Aaron and his four sons, Exodus 6:23) and seven were kings:

Aaron, Exodus 29:7,9, etc.

Nadab, Exodus 29:7,9, etc.

Abihu, Exodus 29:7,9, etc.

Eleazar, Exodus 29:7,9, etc.

Ithamar, Exodus 29:7,9, etc.

Saul, 1 Samuel 10:1.

David, 1 Samuel 16:13.

Absalom, 2 Samuel 19:10.

Solomon, 1 Kings 1:39.

Jehu, 2 Kings 9:6.

Joash, 2 Kings 11:12.

Jehoahaz, 2 Kings 23:30.

TWELVE YEARS of age was Jesus when He first appears in public (Luke 2:42) and utters His first-recorded words.

TWELVE LEGIONS of angels mark the perfection of angelic powers (Matt 26:53).

As Bullinger shows, _twelve_ "is found as a multiple in all that has to do with _rule_ " (Gen. 1:16). No wonder Jesus mentioned "twelve hours" in the "day," for the _divine government_ of God is evident in one's life when they walk in the light of it, in the righteousness produced by "the ministry of the Spirit" (New Covenant; II Cor. 3:8).

There are _twelve_ signs in the Zodiac, _twelve_ hours in the day and _twelve_ months in the year. There were _twelve_ tribes of Israel and Jesus chose _twelve_ disciples. Is it because the divine _rule_ of God is evident in all of this? It is.

2 Peter 3:8 (NKJV)  
But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord **one day** _is_ **as a thousand years** , and **a thousand years as one day**.

Regarding the sun and moon, our passage from Genesis 1:14 states, "And let them be... for _days_ and _years_." So we read in II Peter that "one _day_ is as a _thousand years_ , and a _thousand years_ as _one_ day." This does not mean that our Father sees one day as exactly a thousand years. Remember, the "times and seasons" are and remain in His authority, so one day with the Father _is as long as He needs it to be_ , for He can change the times and seasons according to His own will. With this in mind, look again at the following passages.

Mark 4:26-27 (NKJV)  
And He said, "The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground, and should **sleep by night** and **rise by day** , and the seed should sprout and grow, he himself does not know how.

1 Corinthians 3:6-7 (NKJV)  
I _planted_ , Apollos _watered_ , but **God gave the increase**. So then neither he who _plants_ is anything, nor he who _waters_ , **but God who gives the increase**.

Remember, the "seed" is the Word of God. According to the Parable of the Sower, this "seed" is "sown" into the "ground" or _heart_ of humankind (Matthew, Chapter 13). So "the kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed (the Word) on the ground (heart), and should _sleep by night_ and _rise by day_ , and the seed (the Word) should sprout and grow, he himself does not know how." You see, my friend, one can "plant" and another "water," but it is the "night" and "day" of the work of the covenants which give "the increase." The word "sleep" and the word "rise" in Mark 4, certainly have meaning.

1 Thessalonians 5:5-8 (NKJV)  
You are all **sons of light** and **sons of the day**. We are not of the night nor of darkness. Therefore **let us not sleep** , as others _do,_ but **let us watch** and be sober. For **those who sleep, sleep at night** , and those who get drunk are drunk at night. But let **us who are of the day** be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and _as_ a helmet the hope of salvation.

The phrase, "let us watch" in this passage means, "To _keep awake_ , i.e. _watch_ (literal or figurative). The idea of "sleep" and "awake" correspond with the Lord's words concerning " _sleep_ by night" and " _rise_ by day." When we realize that the sun and moon, day and night, are natural "signs" of our two covenants, then we better understand the purpose of our Creator in all of this.

So again, Jesus said, "Are there not _twelve_ hours in the day?" As I Thessalonians shows, we are exhorted to "walk in the day," to be _in alignment with the will of God_ through the divine power of His Spirit. Without a doubt, when we do so, we "sow to the Spirit" and "reap everlasting life," a _present state of righteousness_.

Galatians 3:21-26 (NKJV)  
_Is_ **the law** then against the promises of God? Certainly not! For if there had been a law given which could have given **life** , truly **righteousness** would have been by the law. But the Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. But before faith came, **we were kept under guard by the law** , kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed. Therefore **the law was our tutor** _to bring us_ **to Christ** , that we might be justified by faith. But after faith has come, **we are no longer under a tutor**. For you are all **sons of God** through faith in Christ Jesus.

Out of the Old Covenant came the law, the "lesser light" needed to " _rule_ the night" (12), to oversee our behavior when we "sleep," denoting the _unconsciousness_ of our spirit and thus the resistance of our natural man to the "things of the Spirit of God" (I Cor. 2:14).

Out of the New Covenant came the Promise of Christ, the "greater light" that _rules_ the "day" (12), signifying the " _righteousness_ of God, through faith in Jesus Christ" (Rom. 3:22). And so Paul wrote, " _Awake_ to _righteousness_ , and sin not" (I Cor. 15:34; KJV). But remember, the natural is first, followed by the spiritual. So the law is present as "our tutor to bring us to Christ." Also remember, in regard to the law, that Hebrews reads, "In that He says, 'A _new_ covenant,' _He has made the first obsolete_. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old _is ready to vanish away_." So for now, both covenants continue to work in humankind, moving us through a process where the "seed" sprouts and grows and we are changed, individually and collectively, in ways that we don't even know.

In this natural plane, time is necessary for the purpose of our Creator, and for us, time is measured in days, weeks, months, and years. It is certainly necessary for the cycle of the four seasons, which are critical to the process of sowing and reaping, allowing the evolution of the seed once it is sown.

So indulge me for a moment and let me reiterate all that we have considered. On the first day of creation, God called the light "day" and the darkness He called "night." These are the components necessary for time, however, it wasn't until the fourth day of creation that God created the "greater light" of the sun and the "lesser light" of the moon to "divide" or separate "the day from the night." The sun and moon are natural symbols of our two covenants, the Old Covenant and law which rules over the natural state of our being and the New Covenant or promise which rules over the spiritual state of our being.

Day _is_ light, and one "day" is as a "thousand years," so to speak of a thousand years is to _also speak of light_. John wrote, "God _is_ light, and in Him is no darkness at all" (I John 1:5; KJV). The idea of "light" incorporates the wisdom, knowledge, understanding, grace, mercy, goodness, and righteousness of our Creator. If we wish to be more specific, and since there are _seven_ "days" of creation, we can better define all of this by the _seven_ Spirits of God as seen in Isaiah, Chapter 11.

Isaiah 11:1-5 (NKJV)  
There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots. The **Spirit of the Lord** shall rest upon Him, the Spirit of **wisdom** (1) and **understanding** (2), the Spirit of **counsel** (3) and **might** (4), the Spirit of **knowledge** (5) and of the **fear** (6) of the Lord. 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; But with **righteousness** (7) 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 with the breath of His lips He shall slay the wicked. **Righteousness** shall be the belt of His loins, and faithfulness the belt of His waist.

As we see in Isaiah, there are _seven_ "Spirits" which make up the _one_ Spirit of the Lord. So just as the _same_ sun shines for each of our seven days, there is but _one_ Spirit of the Lord which gives the "light" or _manifestation_ or _evidence_ of God's Word or purpose. Within this one "light" is found the wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge, and fear of the Lord, summed up in the "fullness" (7) of the seventh Spirit of "righteousness."

John 1:1 (NKJV)  
In the beginning was the Word... and the Word **was** God.

John wrote, "In the beginning was the Word," or _seed_ , "and the Word" or _seed_ , "was God." In other words, what God "said" became "God" when He said it. For this reason, Peter wrote, "Being born again, not of corruptible _seed_ ," which produced the human form, "but of incorruptible," the spiritual form, "by _the Word of God_ , which liveth and abideth for ever" (I Peter 1:23; KJV). You see, when God sowed the "seed" of His incorruptible Word into the darkness of this world of form, it became "God" over all the natural creation. Our scientific discoveries which range from the mysteries of the universe beyond to the mysteries of the universe within, are all just glimpses into the wondrous mind of our Creator. The natural laws incorporated into everything work in a very precise manner because they came from the mind of a Superior Intelligence that set it all in motion.

I remind you, we measure time in days, weeks, months, and years. There are _seven_ days in a week, approximately _four_ weeks to a month, and _twelve_ months in a year. _Seven_ denotes "spiritual perfection" (fullness), _four_ denotes the "material creation" and a "foundation," and _twelve_ denotes "divine rule." Coincidence? I don't think so.

# Chapter Six

# TIME AND TIMES

There are some passages in the book of Daniel that correlate with a passage in the book of Revelation, which speak of "time and times and the dividing of time" (or "half a time"). Let's look at them.

Daniel 7:25 (KJV)  
And he shall speak _great_ words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until **a time and times and the dividing of time**.

Daniel 12:7 (KJV)  
And I heard the man clothed in linen, which _was_ upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that _it shall be_ for **a time, times, and an half** ; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these _things_ shall be finished.

The first thing to consider is the Hebrew meaning of the "dividing" of time. The Strong's Concordance defines it as, "A _half_ ," taken from the word which means "divided." This word corresponds to the word which reads, "To _split_ (literal or figurative)."

The word "half" in Daniel 12:7, though a different Hebrew word, agrees with the first, meaning, "The _half_ or _middle_ ," taken from another word which means, "To _cut_ or _split_ in two; to _halve."_

So how is time split? According to Genesis 1:4 and 14, as _day_ and _night_ , or _light_ and _darkness_. So in essence, what we see in the "dividing" or "half" a time doesn't indicate a linear time frame so much as a _separation_ between day _and_ night or light _and_ darkness. This correlates with the Parable of the Tares in Matthew, Chapter 13, where the harvest ends with the _dividing_ of the tares from the wheat. This also agrees with the Lord's statement in Matthew 25:32-33, where we read, "All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will _separate_ them one from another, as a shepherd _divides_ his sheep from the goats. And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on His left." The "dividing of time" symbolizes the _separation_ of those who walk in the light from those who dwell in darkness, of those who "sleep in the _night_ " from those "who are of the _day_ " (I Thess. 5:7; KJV). When we realize this, it helps us to better understand the "time and times." Now, here's our passage from Revelation.

Revelation 12:14 (KJV)  
And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for **a time, and times, and half a time** , from the face of the serpent.

First, we have "time," followed by "times." Remember our illustrations from Chapter 3? Time is a complete cycle from point A to point B, so "times" would be at least two cycles, would it not? We could say it like this. "Time" is day and night, _one_ day. "Times" is day and night, day and night, or _two_ days. Together, this gives us _three_ days and _three_ nights. But remember, we are not talking about a literal day or days. Rather, we are talking about the "light" or _manifestation_ of God's purpose on earth which can be likened to a harvest, for that is the purpose of sowing a seed, in this case, the "seed" of the "Word of God" (Luke 8:11), the unfolding and evolution of His divine will. Consider the following illustration.

If our interpretation is correct, in the phrase, "Time, and times, and half a time," we have _three days and nights_ (time and times) which ends with a _separation_ (half or dividing of time) of the wheat from the tares at harvest time. In our illustration above, note that "time" begins with Pentecost, while "times" defines the "Day of Trumpets" and the "Day of Atonement." Finally, "half a time" speaks of the "Feast of Tabernacles" proper, the final "Day." Let's bring this to the following.

Matthew 12:38-40 (NKJV)  
Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered, saying, "Teacher, we want to see a **sign** from You." But He answered and said to them, " _An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign_ , and no sign will be given to it except _the sign of the prophet Jonah_. For as Jonah was **three days and three nights** in the belly of the great fish, so will the **Son of Man** be **three days and three nights** in the heart of the earth.

If my understanding is correct, the Lord's reference to Himself as the "Son of Man" meant several things, not the least of which is that He, like His own people, was "under the law." I derive this from the following.

Galatians 4:4-5 (NKJV)  
But when the fullness of the time had come, **God sent forth His Son** , born of a woman, **born under the law** , to redeem those who were **under the law** , that we might receive the adoption as sons.

Up until His death and resurrection, Christ, like His own people, was "under the law." In confirmation, consider this passage.

Matthew 5:17-18 (KJV)  
**Think not that I am come to destroy the law** , or the prophets: **I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil**. For verily I say unto you, till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle (smallest detail) shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

Do you see it? Christ did not come to "destroy the law," but "to fulfill" it. Furthermore, not one detail of it will pass till all of it is fulfilled.

Looking once more at our passages from Matthew, Chapter 12, and if our understanding of the phrase, "Son of Man" is correct, then when Christ stated that "the Son of Man" would be "three days and three nights in the heart of the earth," He meant two things. First, He was referring to His death and entombment for three days and three nights, followed by His resurrection, and secondly, He was speaking of _the fulfilling of the law_ after His resurrection in accordance with prophecy of the prophets. In other words, _what He did_ in His flesh was followed by _what He is now doing_ as a "life-giving Spirit" (I Cor. 15:45). Having said this, the "three days and three nights" that He fulfilled in His flesh was also a type of the work of His life-giving Spirit that would follow after. The difference is that the work of the law as signified by the phrase "Son of Man," would continue to unfold and be fulfilled "in the heart of the earth." In other words, and as typified by the Parable of the Sower, _in the hearts of humankind_ since His glorious resurrection almost two thousand years ago.

Remember, day is "light." And what do we have on each of the branches of our lampstand? Light. Is it just coincidence that there are _seven_ lights and _seven_ days of creation? Remember, seven is "fullness" or "manifestation," so each "day" defines the _fulfilling and manifestation of the law_ as typified by the feasts. And how long is a day? However long the Father determines.

The Feasts of Israel were, at one time, literal feasts. However, the feasts, like the rest of the law (and the Tabernacle of Moses), were _types_ or _patterns_ , if you will, of a _spiritual fulfillment_ that was yet to come (see Hebrews 6:20-10:22).

In the Feast of Passover, we find that the Passover Lamb of the literal law was fulfilled spiritually through the sacrifice and death of Christ. For this reason, John the Baptist declared, "Behold the _Lamb of God_ , which taketh away the sin of the world" (John 1:29; KJV), and Paul wrote, "Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ, _our Passover_ , was sacrificed for us" (I Cor. 5:7). This also shows that Christ fulfilled the "Unleavened Bread," so Paul wrote, "Therefore _let us keep the feast_ , not with _old leaven_ , neither with the _leaven_ of malice and wickedness; _but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth_ " (I Cor. 5:8; KJV). Finally, Christ fulfilled "Firstfruits," for Paul wrote, "But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the _firstfruits_ of them that slept" (I Cor. 15:20; KJV). Remember, even though there are _three_ components to Passover, they are but _one_ feast, and Christ fulfilled them all within Himself.

Pentecost means "fiftieth," so the Feast of Pentecost began on the _fiftieth_ day after the Passover Sabbath. So after Christ rose from the dead, He continued with His disciples, "being seen by them during _forty_ days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God" (Acts 1:3; KJV). He then commanded them to "wait for the Promise of the Father" (Acts 1:4), which they did in the upper room after His ascension. _Ten_ days later, "When the _Day of Pentecost_ had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place" (Acts 2:1). Add our _forty_ and _ten_ together, we have _fifty_ and the spiritual fulfillment of the Feast of Pentecost as recorded in Acts, Chapter 2.

So I must say at this point, that if Christ fulfilled Passover, and His disciples fulfilled Pentecost, doesn't it make sense that the third and final Feast of Tabernacles would also be fulfilled? Would our heavenly Father stop at Pentecost? Not at all.

Allow me to reiterate. How many components do we have in the Feast of Tabernacles? Three (like the Feast of Passover). How many branches as illustrated by the lampstand? Three. And on each branch is "light," which would be a "day."

Jesus said He would be "three days and three nights" in "the heart of the earth." So where do the "nights" fall on the lampstand? They are represented by the _spaces_ between the branches. If we begin with the central branch (Pentecost), we have a branch (day) and a space (night), followed by three more branches (day) and two more spaces (night). Since there is no space following the final branch, it becomes "half" a "day." Therefore, the "three days and three nights" of which Jesus spoke would be the day and night of Pentecost, followed by the day and night of Trumpets, followed by the day and night of Atonement. Then we arrive at the seventh and final branch of Tabernacles or "half" a "day."

Once we understand that a "day" is about the manifestation of God's purpose and intent, we gain a deeper appreciation of the following.

John 2:18-22 (NKJV)  
So the Jews answered and said to Him, "What sign do You show to us, since You do these things?" Jesus answered and said to them, " **Destroy this temple** , and **in three days I will raise it up**." Then the Jews said, "It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?" But **He was speaking of the temple of His body**. Therefore, when He had risen from the dead, His disciples remembered that He had said this to them; and they believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus had said.

When asked by the Jews for a sign, Jesus said to them, "Destroy this temple, and in _three days_ I will raise it up." The Jews thought that the Lord was referring to the actual temple in Jerusalem, however, we read, "But _He was speaking of the temple of His body_. Therefore, when He had risen from the dead, His disciples remembered that He had said this to them; and they believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus had said." No doubt, Jesus referred to Himself as the "temple of God," which Paul and the other disciples clearly understood.

1 Corinthians 3:16-17 (KJV)  
Know ye not that **ye are the temple of God** , and _that_ the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, **which** _temple_ **ye are**.

Just as Christ referred to Himself as the "temple," so too are we called "the body of Christ" (I Cor. 12:27) which includes the "temple of God" in this present age. So in John, Chapter 2, which "temple" do we consider, Christ or His people? I believe it's both.

To be more specific, I believe the "temple of God" were those believers who came out of the upper room, endued with the purest love and presence of God, in a way that we haven't seen since. But, as Jesus taught, the "night" would come when "no man can work" (John 9:4). This "night" is represented by the first "space" on the lampstand that came after the central branch (Day of Pentecost), signifying the darkness that would follow after. Both the scripture and history show how the church of the New Testament went through a tribulation that is difficult to imagine. Christ, along with many other prophets, gave witness of what would come. In Matthew, Chapter 24, Mark, Chapter 13, and Luke, Chapter 17 and 21, Jesus described the tribulation that would take place after the disciples received the Holy Spirit in Acts, Chapter 2.

So what did Jesus say? "Destroy this temple, and in _three days_ I will raise it up." On our illustration of the lampstand, our "three days" is defined by our three components of the Feast of Tabernacles.

Anyone familiar with scripture knows that the Day of Pentecost was a glorious event, unparalleled in history since that time. As we have shown, this was the spiritual fulfillment of the literal feast which Israel had embraced since it was first given to Moses on Mount Sinai. What transpired after they came out of the upper room was so baffling that many mocked them, saying, "They are full of new wine. But Peter, standing up with the eleven," declared to them what was taking place, quoting a prophecy from the book of Joel (Acts 2:13-21). Let's look at this.

Acts 2:14-21 (NKJV)  
But Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and said to them, "Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and heed my words. For these are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is _only_ the third hour of the day. But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: 'And it shall come to pass in **the last days** , says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions, your old men shall dream dreams. And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; and they shall prophesy. I will show wonders in heaven above and signs in the earth beneath: blood and fire and vapor of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the coming of **the great and awesome day of the Lord**. And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.'

Notice how Peter spoke of "the last days," not one, but _many_. He then describes these last days that culminate with "the great and awesome day of the Lord." So the "last days" began with the Day of Pentecost and will end with Tabernacles itself, the fourth and final "day," which again is only "half" a day (no night follows; see Rev. 21:25; 22:5).

Note where Peter stated, "The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, _before_ the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord." Compare this with the following.

Matthew 24:29 (NKJV)  
"Immediately after the tribulation of those days **the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light** ; _the stars will fall from heaven_ , and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.

In our illustration, we see that night follows the Day of Pentecost to arrive at the Day of Trumpets. Night also follows the Day of Trumpets to arrive at the Day of Atonement. Finally, one more night follows the Day of Atonement to culminate with the Feast of Tabernacles. _This third and final night_ is what Peter referred to in Joel's prophecy and that which Jesus spoke about in all three gospels (See also Mark 13:24-25; Luke 21:25-26). Now, consider what Jesus followed with, also recorded in all three gospels (See also Mark 13:26-27; Luke 21:27-28).

Matthew 24:30-31 (KJV)  
And then shall appear **the sign of the Son of man in heaven** : and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see **the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory**. And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, **and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds** , from one end of heaven to the other.

Our passages in Matthew agree, showing that what follows the darkening of the sun, moon, and stars culminates with "the sign of the Son of man in heaven," who then comes "in the clouds with great power and glory," and finally, the gathering together of "His elect from the four winds." To be specific, the "sign" _is_ "the Son of man _in_ heaven."

If the "Son of man" symbolizes all of us _under the law_ , then "in heaven" denotes this _law becoming spiritual_ (Rom. 7:14). This would be the _fulfillment_ of the promise of the New Covenant, His laws put into our minds and written in our hearts. The coming of the Son of man "in the clouds with great power and glory" would speak of _the spiritual manifestation_ of this act of grace in His "elect," in much the same way as it happened on the Day of Pentecost.

What do we mean by the "elect?" This word in the Greek means, " _Select_ ; by implication _favorite_ ," taken from the word which means, "To _select_ ," i.e. "choose." In Matthew, Chapter 20 and 22, Jesus taught two parables in regard to the elect, ending each with, "For _many_ be called, but _few_ chosen" (Matt. 20:16; 22:14; KJV). Also consider the following.

Mark 13:20 (KJV)  
And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: **but for the elect's sake, whom he hath chosen** , he hath shortened the days.

As we see, the "elect" are those "whom he hath chosen."

Romans 11:1-5 (NKJV)  
I say then, has God cast away His people? Certainly not! For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, _of_ the tribe of Benjamin. God has not cast away His people whom He foreknew. Or do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel, saying, _"Lord, they have killed Your prophets and torn down Your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life"?_ But what does the divine response say to him? **"I have reserved for Myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal**." Even so then, **at this present time there is a remnant** according to the election of grace.

These passages show that despite the majority of humankind's overall resistance to the will and the kingdom of God, there are those whom God always reserves, a "remnant" or few "according to the _election_ of grace." Our word "election" and "elect" are taken from the same Greek word we looked at previously which means, "To _select_." With this in mind, let me share the following illustration with you.

Notice that I added "1000" to each of the seven branches of our lampstand. This comes from our passage in II Peter where we read, "One _day_ is with the Lord as a _thousand_ years, and a _thousand_ years as _one_ day." Remember, each light on the lampstand is a "day" or "thousand" years and the manifestation of God's purpose. If we add the seven "days" (1000) together, we have 7,000. In Romans, Chapter 11, how many did God reserve to Himself? _Seven_ thousand. Coincidence? I don't believe so. This shows that God always has a _few_ who are reserved for His purpose, a _remnant_ who manifest the true light of Christ to the world.

Matthew 24:35-36 (NKJV)  
_Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away_. " **But of that day and hour no one knows** , not even the angels of heaven, **but My Father only**."

Mark 13:31-32 (NKJV)  
_Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away_. " **But of that day and hour no one knows** , not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, **but only the Father**."

Luke 21:33-36 (NKJV)  
_Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away_. "But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, **and that Day come on you unexpectedly**. For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man."

"Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away," Jesus said. Inasmuch as the Feast of Passover and Pentecost found their fulfillment approximately two thousand years ago, the Feast of Tabernacles will also be fulfilled. When? That is left to the Father, for "of that _day_ (Tabernacles) and hour _no one knows_ , not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, _but only the Father_." The times and seasons are in His power.

# Chapter Seven

# THE LAST DAYS

2 Timothy 3:1 (KJV)  
This know also, that in the **last days** perilous times shall come.

Hebrews 1:1-2 (NKJV)  
God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these **last days** spoken to us by _His_ Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds...

Throughout my lifetime, I have heard many speak about the end of the world. Many of those times, they spoke of the book of Revelation and its horrific symbolism, using its passages to verify and prove their stance. Tradition too, has long supported the idea of a "rapture" of the saints, a catching away into heaven of those who believe in Christ, followed by a terrifying three and a half or seven years of "tribulation" that is horrible to imagine. I must say without hesitation that I do not believe in any of these theories, for I believe that the work of our Father is not for the _destruction_ of His creation, but for the "reconciliation" of all things (II Cor. 5:18-21). For this reason, Paul finished his thought in II Corinthians with, "For He made Him (Christ Jesus) who knew no sin _to be sin for us_ , that we might become the _righteousness_ of God in Him" (II Cor. 5:21). You see, my friend, the kingdom and work of God is to produce the _righteousness_ of His Son in His people and ultimately the world. A brief look at the final two chapters of Revelation show this quite clearly.

As this study indicates, the pattern we have considered in the Feasts of Israel makes perfect sense, for why would the Lord fulfill Passover and Pentecost in a completely spiritual sense, only to let Tabernacles fail?

Our passages from Hebrews speak of the "last days" as present, not something to come, agreeing with Peter's statement on the Day of Pentecost.

2 Timothy 3:1-5 (NKJV)  
1 But know this, that in the **last days** perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves (1), lovers of money (2), boasters (3), proud (4), blasphemers (5), disobedient to parents (6), unthankful (7), unholy (8), 3 unloving (9), unforgiving (10), slanderers (11), without self-control (12), brutal (13), despisers of good (14), 4 traitors (15), headstrong (16), haughty (17), lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God ( **18** ), 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!

Should there be any doubt as to what is meant by "night," these passages make it clear. The works of darkness are evident and confirm our position of three days and "nights." Is it also coincidence that Paul, like he did in Galatians 5:19-21, listed _eighteen_ things concerning the excesses of sin that would be evident in the last days? As we have learned, _eighteen_ is the number which stands for _bondage_ , and can also be broken down as _three sixes_ or "666," what the book of Revelation defines as the "number" of the beast (Rev. 13:18).

Along with Paul and Peter, consider what James wrote in his epistle concerning the "last days."

James 5:1-8 (NKJV)  
Come now, _you_ rich, weep and howl for your miseries that are coming upon _you!_ Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver are corroded, and their corrosion will be a witness against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have heaped up treasure in the **last days**. Indeed the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, cry out; and the cries of the reapers have reached the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth. You have lived on the earth in pleasure and luxury; you have fattened your hearts as in a day of slaughter. You have condemned, you have murdered the just; he does not resist you. Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See _how_ the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.

In our phrase "last days," the word "last" is defined as, "(In the sense of contiguity); _farthest_ , _final_ (of place or time)." Would this agree with our illustration of the lampstand and the fact that the _last_ days are symbolized by the _last_ four branches?

It is apparent that Paul, Peter, and James all agreed in their writings that the last days would be signified by an increase of darkness. Though it may be sad to consider, at the same time, it gives us hope of what is to come, for without darkness, the light simply cannot shine. And, like the light which is signified by the flames on the lampstand, the darkness which follows each branch also bears witness of the truth of our Savior's words in Matthew, Chapter 24. We are certainly going through "perilous times."

Our phrase, "last days," correlates with another phrase in the New Testament, spoken of as "the last time." After all, day and night, along with the sun and moon, are the components necessary for time. Please consider.

1 Peter 1:3-5 (NKJV)  
Blessed _be_ the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in **the last time**.

Not surprisingly, the definition of "time" in this passage reads, "A space of _time_ ," giving us the understanding that it is not a singular event, but a period of time through which some will pass.

Jude 1:17-18 (KJV)  
But, beloved, remember ye the words _which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ_ ; How that they told you there should be mockers in **the last time** , who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.

Again, the implication is obvious. The last days would be marked by an increase of lawlessness and sin, of the lusts of the flesh, of scoffers and mockers, of self-absorption and greed, unlike any generation has ever known. Due to this, Jesus said, "And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold," and again, "For then there will be _great tribulation_ , such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. And unless _those days_ were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect's sake _those days_ will be shortened" (Matt. 24:12, 21-22). Is the Lord's reference to "those days" speak of the last days?

In regard to the idea of an increase of lawlessness, we must consider the simple logic of the increase of the world's population. At this present time, there are about seven billion people on this planet, more now than there has ever been. Would this not be one of the reasons behind what Jesus said? So, let's also back up a bit and look at something else Jesus said.

Matthew 24:3-8 (NKJV)  
Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, "Tell us, when will these things be? And what _will be_ the sign of Your coming, and of **the end of the age**?" And Jesus answered and said to them: "Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all _these things_ must come to pass, _but the end is not yet_. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. **All these** _are_ **the beginning of sorrows**."

First, note how the New King James version of scripture defines "the end of the world" in the King James as "the end of the age." This is correct. It is not the end of the world which is coming, but the end of an age which precedes the dawning of a new age.

Now, look at our phrase, "All these are the beginning of _sorrows_." Our word "sorrows" is defined as, "A _pang_ or _throe_ , especially of childbirth." For this reason, the New International Version reads, "All these are the beginning of _birth pains_." Compare this with the following.

1 Thessalonians 5:1-4 (KJV)  
But of **the times and the seasons** , brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that **the day of the Lord** so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, **as travail upon a woman with child** ; and they shall not escape. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.

In reference to tribulation, Jesus used "birth pains" as an allegory. And just like the birth pains of a pregnant woman, they increase more and more until the child is finally born. This same analogy is carried over by Paul in our passages from I Thessalonians, where he speaks of "sudden destruction" and "the day of the Lord." However, keep in mind that Paul, like Jesus, used this analogy to point out that the darkness was indicative of something that would be birthed from it, of a _hope_ that most overlook because their focus is on the negative.

Galatians 4:19 (KJV)  
My little children, of whom **I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you** ...

Do you see it? The purpose of _birth pains_ or _tribulation_ is not about the destruction of humankind, _but the forming of Christ within a people_.

Also note in our passages that Paul links "the _times_ and the _seasons_ " with "the _day_ of the Lord," not a literal day, but the _fulfilling_ of the Feast of Tabernacles in all that it represents.

Acts 14:21-22 (KJV)  
And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and _to_ Iconium, and Antioch, confirming the souls of the disciples, _and_ exhorting them to continue in the faith, and **that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God**.

Here we go. "We must, _through much tribulation_ , enter into the kingdom of God." It is not an option, but a necessity, for the spiritual is not first "but the natural, and afterward the spiritual" (I Cor. 15:46). Beneath the surface of humankind, there is a divine purpose working as typified by our Feast of Tabernacles. The last days will end in righteousness.

# Chapter Eight

# THE LORD'S DAY

Revelation 1:9-10 (NKJV)  
I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. **I was in the Spirit on the Lord's Day** ...

In the first chapter of Revelation, we find John on the island called "Patmos," there to receive "the word of God" and "the testimony of Jesus Christ." He then states, "I was _in the Spirit_ on the Lord's Day." Despite his position of imprisonment on the island of Patmos, John was in a spiritual place, able to _receive_ from the Spirit of God the understanding that led to what we know today as the Book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ.

It is my opinion that "the Lord's Day" in which John was present, was the _fourth_ and _final_ segment or "Day" of the Feast of Tabernacles. Why do I say this? Consider.

Revelation 1:10 (NKJV)  
I was in the Spirit on the Lord's Day, and **I heard behind me** a loud voice...

Having been taken by the Spirit of God into the fourth and final day of the Lord, note how John says, "And I heard _behind me_ a loud voice." Look at verse 12.

Revelation 1:12 (NKJV)  
Then **I turned to see the voice** that spoke with me.

John, having heard the voice _behind_ him, _turned_ to see it. In other words, God had taken John by the Spirit to the fourth and final day of the Lord, so he had to _turn_ "in Spirit" in order to receive and understand what would happen up to this fourth and final "day." He had been taken to the "end" of the matter to be shown what led up to it.

Isaiah 46:9-10 (KJV)  
Remember the former things of old: for I _am_ God, and _there is_ none else; _I am_ God, and _there is_ none like me, **declaring the end from the beginning** , and **from ancient times** _the things_ **that are not** _yet_ **done** , saying, **My counsel shall stand** , and **I will do all my pleasure** ...

In agreement, Isaiah tells us that God declares "the _end_ from the _beginning_." So John _began_ with the Feast of Tabernacles or "end" which is what Peter declared as "the great and awesome day of the Lord" (Acts 2:20) and then turned to see the Day of Trumpets and the Day of Atonement, those things which were "not yet done." Through this divine revelation, John knew that God's counsel would stand and that He would do all His pleasure, the will of God assured as signified by the Feast of Tabernacles.

To put it plainly, it is my opinion that the Book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ is the revelation of our "last days" as the Spirit of Christ finishes the work (John 4:34) of our Father "in the heart of the earth" (Matt. 12:40; KJV). As this study shows, it is an understanding of the _times_ and _seasons_ , especially that which is symbolized by the natural Feast of Tabernacles.

1 Thessalonians 5:1-2 (NKJV)  
But **concerning the times and the seasons** , brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. For **you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night**.

Why did Paul write, "But _concerning the times and the seasons_ ," and then follow with, "For you yourselves know perfectly that _the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night_?" Isn't he connecting "times" and "seasons" with "the day of the Lord?" Doesn't this confirm our position and our illustration of the lampstand? Let's look further at our passages.

1 Thessalonians 5:3-4 (NKJV)  
For when they say, "Peace and safety!" **then sudden destruction comes upon them** , as **labor pains upon a pregnant woman**. And **they shall not escape**. But **you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief**.

Remember the "labor pains?" They signify tribulation. And who is "they" in these passages. Paul tells us.

1 Thessalonians 5:5-7 (NKJV)  
You are all sons of light and sons of the day. **We are not of the night nor of darkness**. Therefore **let us not sleep, as others** _do_ _,_ but let us watch and be sober. For **those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night**.

"They" are those "who sleep" and "those who get drunk." This is not literal, but speaks of us when we dwell in a state of _spiritual lethargy_ (sleep) and _lack of spiritual judgment and discernment_ (drunk) of the Lord's purpose as defined by the fulfilling of the law. In direct contrast, Paul speaks of "sons of light" and "sons of the day," showing us that not everyone will be in this spiritual stupor, but for those who are, this "day" shall come "as a thief in the night."

1 Thessalonians 5:8-10 (NKJV)  
But let **us who are of the day** _be sober_ , putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and _as_ a helmet the hope of salvation. **For God did not appoint us to wrath** , but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, **that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him**.

Again, in reference to those "who are of the day," Paul states, "be sober," for " _God did not appoint us to wrath_ , but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ." So again, to put it plainly, the day of the Lord will come upon those who are _asleep_ and those who are _awake_ , on those who are _unaware_ and those who are _aware_. Those who are unaware will be subject to "wrath." Now, in regard to "wrath," consider the following.

Romans 4:15 (KJV)  
Because **the law worketh wrath**...

The word "worketh" means, "To _work fully_ , i.e. _accomplish_ ; by implication to _finish_ , _fashion_." Does this agree with the Lord's statement about _finishing_ the work of our Father? Jesus clearly stated, "Think not that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy _but to fulfill_ " (Matt. 5:17). What is unmistakably a part of the law? Is it not the _feasts_ which we are considering? So in essence, we can say that the fulfilling of the law and the prophets will affect everyone, regardless of their spiritual position. This helps us to understand the following from the book of Revelation.

Revelation 15:1 (KJV)  
And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, **seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God**.

The law works wrath, so in the symbolism of this passage we find " _seven_ angels having the _seven_ last plagues; _for in them is filled up the wrath of God_." My friend, this is simply another representation of the _fulfilling_ (filled up) of the law and prophets as Jesus said. Remember, the understanding of "fullness" comes from the spiritual meaning of the number _seven_. So is it just coincidence that we have " _seven_ angels" and " _seven_ last plagues" and the Feast of Tabernacles began on the first day of the _seventh_ month?

As I've previously mentioned, the law was given to restrict the behavior of our natural man and it is this which is defined as the "wrath" of God, both in the Old and New Testaments. And, it is our resistance to, and ignorance of the law being fulfilled by the Lord that is the reason behind so many of the fantasies that have been propagated by tradition. Remember, the work of the law is to _expose and address our unrighteousness_ while the work of the Spirit follows to bring us to a _present state of being_ where _righteousness fills our mind and heart_ (Heb. 8:7-13). This, I believe, is the result of the _fulfillment_ of the Feast of Tabernacles.

In agreement with Paul's discourse on the day of the Lord, here is what Peter wrote.

2 Peter 3:8-10 (NKJV)  
But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord **one day** _is_ **as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day**. The Lord is not slack concerning _His_ promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. But **the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night,** in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.

In agreement with Paul, Peter also tells us that "the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night."

Revelation 3:3 (NKJV)  
Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore **if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you**.

In agreement with Paul and Peter and with the passages in I Thessalonians 5:3-10, Jesus declared that the day of the Lord comes as a thief _only to those who are not watching or awake_.

Isaiah 2:12, 17, 19-21 (KJV)  
12 For **the day of the Lord of hosts** _shall be_ upon **every** _one that is_ **proud and lofty** , and upon **every** _one that is_ **lifted up** ; and he shall be brought low... 17 And **the loftiness of man** shall be bowed down, and the **haughtiness of men** shall be made low: **and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day** ... 19 And **they shall go into the holes of the rocks, and into the caves of the earth, for fear of the Lord, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth**. 20 In that day a man shall cast his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which they made _each one_ for himself to worship, to the moles and to the bats; 21 To go into the clefts of the rocks, and into the tops of the ragged rocks, for fear of the Lord, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth.

In Isaiah, we are given an understanding of that which prevents us from knowing the "day" and it is _pride_ , "For the day of the Lord of hosts shall be _upon every one that is proud and lofty_ , and _upon every one that is lifted up_ ; and _he shall be brought low_." Do not be deceived, my friend, God is not mocked. What has been sown must be reaped. Consider verses 19 through 21 in light of the following.

Revelation 6:12-17 (KJV)  
And I beheld when he had opened the **sixth** seal, and, lo, **there was a great earthquake** ; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind. And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, **hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?**

Do the passages from Isaiah agree with our passages from Revelation concerning the "sixth" seal? It appears so, and again, the spiritual meaning of _six_ is "the number of imperfection; the human number; the number of MAN as destitute of God, without God, without Christ" (Bullinger).

How does the Lord deal with man's enmity? Through the law, the principle of sowing to the flesh and reaping corruption. And what is the reality in this present age? Would it not be the increase of lawlessness of which the Lord and the apostles spoke as humankind, in its pride, seeks to put aside any restraint that the law stipulates? When we read that "the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood," would this not represent the two covenants under which humankind resides and yet resists in their ignorance of the purpose of their Creator?

Note closely that John wrote, "Hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?" Again, it is the law which works wrath, so the "wrath of the Lamb" would be the fulfilling of the law and prophets as Jesus declared.

Also keep in mind that the Feast of Tabernacles is one feast, consisting of three segments. In other words, our "three days and three nights" are linked together and will together, be the fulfillment of the one feast, ending with "a new beginning" for humankind. For understanding, look at the following.

The Feast of Tabernacles

The Day or Blowing of the Trumpets – 1st Day of the 7th Month – The 1st day of the civil or agricultural year (see Exod. 23:16; 34:22; Lev. 25:9 (Year of Jubilee); Lev. 23:24-25)

The Day of Atonement – 10th Day of the 7th Month – (see Lev. 16; 23: 27-32)

The Feast of Tabernacles – 15th Day of the 7th Month – (see Exod. 23:16; Lev. 23:34-44; Deut. 16:13-15)

All of the above celebrations lasted a total of twenty-one days. This is three sevens, typifying "rest" in the absolute sense (Heb. 4:9). We could also say three times seven, or the "work" of God (3) "fulfilled" (7).

The Feast of Tabernacles proper lasted seven days, followed by a Sabbath on the eighth day. This would have been the twenty-second day after all three segments. The spiritual meaning of eight is "the beginning of a new era or order" (Bullinger) and twenty-two is the number of "light" (Vallowe). We should also note that our number ten represents "a complete cycle" and fifteen represents "acts wrought by the energy of divine grace" (Bullinger). Can we see in all of this that it is truly a divine work of the living Word of God as purposed through the law and the prophets?

# Chapter Nine

# THE DAY OF TRUMPETS

Numbers 10:1-2 (NKJV)  
And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: "Make **two silver trumpets** for yourself; you shall make them of hammered work; you shall use them for calling the congregation and for directing the movement of the camps.

Leviticus 23:23-25 (NKJV)  
Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, "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. You shall do no customary work _on it;_ and **you shall offer an offering made by fire to the Lord**.' "

In Numbers 10, we see the Lord telling Moses to make "two silver trumpets" of "hammered work" (one piece of silver), which were used to call the congregation and to direct the movement of the camps. If we read a little further in Numbers, Chapter 10, we will find that the trumpets were also blown in preparation for war and of course, in celebration of the feasts (Lev. 23:23-25). So the purpose of the trumpets was fourfold; 1) Assemble the congregation, 2) Direct the movement of the camps, 3) Prepare for war, 4) Initiate and celebrate the feasts. Careful examination of the book of Revelation clearly shows all of these aspects.

The spiritual meaning of _two_ is "division" or "witness" (Bullinger). Here the meaning is that of the Lord in _union_ with His people, Israel.

_Silver_ represents "redemption." From his book, _The Feast of Tabernacles_ , George H. Warnock wrote, "Whenever Israel was numbered, every man was required to give by way of ransom a half-shekel, and the money thus collected was used in the service of the sanctuary (see Exod. 30:12-16; Lev. 25:48)." So the idea of "two silver trumpets" signifies an overall "witness" and work of "redemption" as instituted by the Lord through His people.

Revelation 1:10-11 (NKJV)  
I was in the Spirit on the Lord's Day, and I heard behind me **a loud voice, as of a trumpet** , saying, "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last..."

Revelation 4:1 (ESV)  
1 After this I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven! **And the first voice, which I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet** , said, "Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this."

When we enter into the book of Revelation, we find _two_ trumpets, the _first_ one in Chapter One and the _second_ one in Chapter Four. Do these correlate with our "two silver trumpets" and the initiation of the Feast of Tabernacles?

As our passages show, the trumpets which John heard were not literal by any means, but indicative of "a loud voice, as of a trumpet." And whose voice was it? It was the voice of the Lord.

1 Corinthians 14:8 (KJV)  
For **if the trumpet give an uncertain sound** , who shall prepare himself to the battle?

Remember, one of the reasons for the sounding of the trumpets was for the preparation of war or battle. As Paul shows, "If the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?" But what did John hear? "A _loud_ voice," a voice of _clarity_ , a message, not of confusion, but of _certainty_. In this present hour, there are many "voices," but there is much confusion. In this confusion, many have sought to predict the end time and we have been bombarded by foolish suppositions which have led many good people astray. Our focus has been turned from _righteousness_ to "going to heaven," from _meekness_ to a spiritual pride that has caused the world to reject Christ and the message He exemplified. In a world where peace is a rarity, we have made excuses for our own lack of it. No wonder the world is skeptical. If the hope of the gospel cannot be realized while on this earth, then what good is the message?

Matthew 24:31 (KJV)  
And he shall send his angels with **a great sound of a trumpet** , and they shall **gather together his elect from the four winds** , from one end of heaven to the other.

In agreement with our previous thought, Jesus said He would "send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet" in order to "gather together His elect from the four winds." Our phrase, "great sound" agrees with our "loud voice," again indicating clarity and certainty.

Revelation 10:7 (KJV)  
But **in the days of the voice of the seventh angel** , _when he shall begin to sound_ , the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.

Note the phrase, "in the _days_ of the _voice_ of the _seventh angel_ , when he shall begin to sound." What "days" does this speak of? Would it be our three "days" of the Feast of Tabernacles which finds its fulfillment in the _seventh_ month? And what is the "voice" of this "seventh angel?" In order to understand, consider the following.

Hebrews 1:7 (NKJV)  
And of the angels He says: " **Who makes His angels spirits** and His ministers a flame of fire."

Revelation 1:4 (NKJV)  
John, to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from **the seven Spirits who are before His throne** ...

Revelation 4:5 (NKJV)  
And **from the throne** proceeded lightnings, thunderings, and voices. **Seven lamps of fire** _were_ **burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God**.

As we see, there are " _seven_ lamps of fire burning before the throne" which also symbolize "the _seven Spirits_ of God" which we looked at briefly in Chapter 5. Let's look at our passages from Isaiah, Chapter 11, once again.

Isaiah 11:1-5 (NKJV)  
There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots. **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. 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; 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 with the breath of His lips He shall slay the wicked. **Righteousness** shall be the belt of His loins, and faithfulness the belt of His waist.

In this prophecy we have our seven Spirits. They are:

1. Wisdom

2. Understanding

3. Counsel

4. Might

5. Knowledge

6. Fear

7. RIGHTEOUSNESS (Judgment)

As we see, the seven Spirits of God are not so much about heavenly beings as they are about the sevenfold _attributes_ of the _one_ Spirit of the Lord. Furthermore, seven means "fullness," so this indicates that _righteousness_ is not, in actuality, a "seventh" Spirit, but _the sum total of the other six_. For this reason, we read, "The Spirit of the Lord," _one Spirit_ , "shall rest upon Him." Righteousness _is the culmination_ of the wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge, and fear of the Lord.

Didn't we use our picture of the lampstand with its "seven lamps of fire" to represent the "seven Spirits of God?" We did, because though there are _seven_ branches, it is but _one_ lampstand. When we bring this understanding to Revelation 10:5, we can view the "seventh angel," not as some individual personage with wings, but symbolic of the Spirit of righteousness which proceeds from the "throne" of God and out of which issues the other six attributes. So, in keeping with our previous understanding, the "the _voice_ of the _seventh angel_ , when he shall begin to sound," speaks of _the message of righteousness_ (trumpet) going forth, a reestablishment of that which has been lost in the midst of our rituals and traditions.

Isaiah 58:1-10 (NIV)  
"Shout it aloud, do not hold back. **Raise your voice like a trumpet**. _Declare to my people their rebellion and to the house of Jacob their sins_. For day after day they seek me out; they seem eager to know my ways, as if they were a nation that does what is right and has not forsaken the commands of its God. They ask me for just decisions and seem eager for God to come near them. 'Why have we fasted,' they say, 'and you have not seen it? Why have we humbled ourselves, and you have not noticed?' "Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please and exploit all your workers. Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife, and in striking each other with wicked fists. You cannot fast as you do today and expect your voice to be heard on high. Is this the kind of fast I have chosen, only a day for a man to humble himself? Is it only for bowing one's head like a reed and for lying on sackcloth and ashes? Is that what you call a fast, a day acceptable to the LORD? "Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter-- when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? Then your **light** will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then **your righteousness will go before you** , and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard. Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I. "If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk, and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then **your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday**."

Revelation 1:12-16 (NKJV)  
12 Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and in the midst of the **seven lampstands** _One_ like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. 14 His head and hair _were_ white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; 15 His feet _were_ like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters; 16 He had in His right hand **seven stars** , out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance _was_ like the sun shining in its strength... 20 The mystery of the **seven stars** which you saw in My right hand, and the **seven golden lampstands** : The **seven stars** are the **angels** of the seven churches, and the **seven lampstands** which you saw are the **seven churches**.

In Revelation 1, we see "seven golden lampstands" and "seven stars," and John was told, "The seven stars are _the angels of the seven churches_ , and the seven lampstands which you saw are _the seven churches_." Are these seven angels the same as our seven Spirits of God seen in Revelation 1:4, 4:5, and Isaiah, Chapter 11? I believe they are.

Revelation 2:1 (NKJV)  
"To the **angel of the church of Ephesus write** , 'These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands..."

We begin with seven churches and seven angels. Then John is told to "write" to the " _angel_ of the church of Ephesus" as well as to the "angel" of each of the remaining six churches. So, for each of the seven Spirits or angels, we have seven corresponding churches; the Spirit of wisdom for the church of Ephesus, the Spirit of counsel for the church of Smyrna, and so on.

Immediately after the presentation of the seven messages to the seven churches, we enter Chapter 4, where John hears our second silver trumpet and we read, "Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne" (Rev. 4:2). As we move into Chapter 5, John is still at the throne and we read, "And I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a _scroll_ written inside and on the back, sealed with _seven_ seals." So now we have a _scroll_ with _seven_ seals.

Revelation 5:6-7 (NKJV)  
And I looked, and behold, **in the midst of the throne** and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood **a Lamb as though it had been slain** , having **seven horns** and **seven eyes** , which are **the seven Spirits of God** sent out into all the earth. Then **He came and took the scroll out of the right hand** of Him who sat on the throne.

Here we see "a Lamb," which is Christ, "having _seven_ horns and _seven_ eyes, which are the _seven_ Spirits of God," and He "came and took the scroll out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne." This agrees with the prophecy of Isaiah, Chapter 11, where we read, "There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots. The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him" (Isa. 11:1-2).

The "horns" denote the "push" or _advancement_ of God's will as contained in His covenants and the "eyes" speak of the "understanding" (Matt. 13:16; Eph. 1:18) of God's will as defined by the law and the prophets (Matt. 5:17).

Now we have seven angels with seven churches, and seven messages which I believe correspond with the seven seals of the scroll. It is Christ who takes the scroll from the right hand of the Father, and it is Christ who has complete authority over and speaks to each of the seven churches (see Rev. 2:1, 8, 12, 18; 3:1, 7, 14). No wonder Jesus said, "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and _to finish His work_ " (John 4:34).

Once we step into Chapter Six of Revelation, the Lamb or Christ, begins to open each of the seven seals of the scroll or book. When we reach the seventh seal in Revelation, Chapter 8, we find " _seven_ angels which stood before God; and to them were given _seven_ trumpets" (Rev. 8:2; KJV). The sounding of the trumpets take place up through and including Revelation, Chapter 11, verses 15 through 19.

Revelation 11:15 (KJV)  
And **the seventh angel sounded** ; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become _the kingdoms_ of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

1 Corinthians 15:51-52 (NKJV)  
Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed-- in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, **at the last trumpet**. For **the trumpet will sound** , and **the dead will be raised incorruptible** , and we shall be changed.

Our passages in I Corinthians correspond with the "seventh" trumpet, for it is the "last trumpet." And these passages have been the source of much speculation for as long as any of us can remember. From these have come such fantasies as the rapture and the bodies of people flying through the air to be caught up in the clouds with Christ, there to be whisked away into heaven while the wrath of God is poured out upon the masses of "unbelievers" who are left behind. Such teachings as these spring from ignorance and a root of pride in the people of God when we think of ourselves more highly than we should. As we have indicated, the work of the Father is not so He can whisk us away to heaven, but so that _He can establish righteousness in the earth_.

Acts 17:29-31 (NKJV)  
Therefore, **since we are the offspring of God** , we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, something shaped by art and man's devising. Truly, _these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a_ _day_ _on which_ **He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained**. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead."

My friend, we are spiritual beings dwelling in a human form, "the offspring of God," therefore, "we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, something shaped by art and man's devising." As Paul clearly stated, this is ignorance which God overlooked at one time "but now commands all men everywhere to repent." Today, He is affecting a change in us from unrighteousness to righteousness, "because He has appointed a _day_ on which He will _judge the world in righteousness_ by the Man whom He has ordained." Would this "day" be a time of the light of righteousness that proceeds from the throne of God, the day of the Feast of Tabernacles when the kingdom of God shall be seen in a people?

Micah 4:1-3 (NKJV)  
Now it shall come to pass in the latter (last) 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 peoples shall flow to it. Many nations 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 the law shall go forth, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. **He shall judge between many peoples, and rebuke strong nations afar off; 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.**

Zechariah 14:16 (KJV)  
And it shall come to pass, _that_ every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and to keep **the feast of tabernacles**.

Psalms 9:7-10 (NKJV)  
But the Lord shall endure forever; He has prepared His throne for judgment. **He shall judge the world in righteousness** , and He shall administer judgment for the peoples in uprightness. The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; For You, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You.

Psalms 37:5-6 (KJV)  
Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring _it_ to pass. **And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday**.

Psalms 94:12-15 (NKJV)  
Blessed _is_ the man whom You instruct, O Lord, and teach out of Your law, that You may give him rest from the days of adversity, until the pit is dug for the wicked. For the Lord will not cast off His people, nor will He forsake His inheritance. **But judgment will return to righteousness** , and all the upright in heart will follow it.

Psalms 96:13 (NKJV)  
For He is coming, **for He is coming to judge the earth**. **He shall judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with His truth**.

Psalms 98:9 (NKJV)  
For He is coming to judge the earth. **With righteousness He shall judge the world** , and the peoples with equity.

Revelation 19:7-8 (KJV)  
Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. **And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints**.

Revelation 19:11 (KJV)  
And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him _was_ called Faithful and True, **and in righteousness he doth judge and make war**.

All of these passages show the purpose of God in His people _and it is clearly judgement which proceeds from righteousness_. As we approach the end of the book of Revelation we read, "And to her (the Lamb's wife; the church) was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the _righteousness_ of saints." Now, allow me to share something further about the trumpets.

Exodus 19:16-19 (KJV)  
And it came to pass **on the third day in the morning** , that there were **thunders** and **lightnings** , and a thick cloud upon the mount, and **the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud** ; so that all the people that _was_ in the camp trembled. And Moses brought forth the people out of the camp to meet with God; and they stood at the nether part of the mount. And mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because the Lord descended upon it in fire: and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and **the whole mount quaked greatly**. **And when the voice of the trumpet sounded long, and waxed louder and louder** , Moses spake, and God answered him **by a voice**.

Note in these passages that it was "on the _third day_ in the _morning_ , that there were _thunders_ and _lightnings_... and the _voice of the trumpet_ exceeding loud." Furthermore, "when _the voice of the trumpet sounded long, and waxed louder and louder_ , Moses spake, and God answered him by a _voice_." Compare this to the following.

Revelation 4:5 (NKJV)  
And **from the throne proceeded lightnings, thunderings, and voices**. Seven lamps of fire _were_ burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.

Revelation 8:5-6 (KJV)  
And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast _it_ into the earth: **and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake**. And the _seven angels_ which had the _seven trumpets_ prepared themselves to sound.

Revelation 11:15, 19 (KJV)  
And the _seventh angel_ _sounded_ ; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become _the kingdoms_ of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. 19 And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: **and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.**

Revelation 16:17-18 (KJV)  
17 And the **seventh angel** poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done. 18 And there were **voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake,** _and_ **so great** ... 21 And **there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven** , _every stone_ about the weight of a talent: and **men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail** ; for the plague thereof was exceeding great.

Do you see the similarities between Mount Sinai and our passages from Revelation? Like Mount Sinai, we see _lightning_ and _thunder_ , the _quaking of the mountain_ , and God answering Moses "by _voice_."

"And when the _voice_ of the trumpet sounded long, and waxed louder and louder, Moses spake, and God answered him by a voice." Note that when the _seventh_ angel sounds and the _seventh_ angel pours "out his vial into the air," we see the lightning, thunder, _voices_ , earthquake, and hail.

Remember, the Feast of Tabernacles falls in the _seventh_ month, consisting of _three_ segments, the first which is the Day of Trumpets. In comparison, we have _seven_ trumpets in Revelation, which signify, _not seven different trumpets_ , but the _increasing sevenfold_ message of the voice of the Lord Himself which issues from His throne of righteousness.

Recall that John was taken by the Spirit to "the Lord's day," to the _fourth_ and final day of the Lord which is the Feast of Tabernacles. For this reason, he heard the voice of the Lord _behind_ him and " _turned_ to see the voice that spoke" with him. So John stood at the _end_ and the _loudest point_ of the trumpet. Once he turned, the Lord showed him the significance of this final and loud trumpet, the voice of Christ Himself, _as summed up_ in the seven angels (1), churches (2), prophecies (3), seals (4), trumpets (5), and vials (6). Here we have _six_ major _sevens_ in the book of the Revelation. What is seven _times_ six? It's _forty-two_ , and our "times" denotes an increase. In other words, what begins with the first, increases until we reach the second, then the third, until we arrive at the seventh or "fullness" or "completion" of such increase. This agrees with our phrase, "sounded long, and _waxed louder and louder_." Please consider.

Revelation 13:5 (KJV)  
And there was given unto him (the beast which rises out of the sea) a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue **forty and two months**.

Revelation 11:2 (KJV)  
But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot **forty and two months**.

Luke 21:24 (KJV)  
And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and **Jerusalem shall be trodden down** of the Gentiles (nations), until **the times of the Gentiles** (nations) **be fulfilled**.

_Six_ important _sevens_ in the book of the Revelation, i.e. 6 x 7, or 42. And as these passages show, the "increase" of these "sevens" if you will, affects "Jerusalem" in a very negative fashion, does it not (Jerusalem shall be trodden down)? Furthermore, we must ask if the "times" of the Gentiles or "nations," the "times" in "time and _times_ and half a time?" I believe so.

To be specific, our "forty and two months," indicates the "fullness" of God's purpose worked out in the six major sevens found in Revelation. It is a symbolic presentation of the "last days" of which Peter spoke in Acts 2:17, incorporating the Day of Pentecost along with our "three days and three nights" of which Jesus spoke in Matthew 12:40, the spiritual fulfillment of our three segments of the Feast of Tabernacles (see our illustration of the lampstand).

Note how the King James Version states "forty _and_ two months," separating the forty _from_ the two. Consider the spiritual meaning of "forty" from Bullinger.

Forty has long been universally recognized as an important number, both on account of the frequency of its occurrence, and the uniformity of its association with a period of _probation, trial_ , and _chastisement_ —(not _judgment_ , like the number 9, which stands in connection with the punishment of enemies, but the chastisement of sons, and of a covenant people). It is the product of 5 and 8, and points to the action of _grace_ (5), leading to and ending in _revival_ and _renewal_ (8). This is certainly the case where _forty_ relates to a period of evident _probation_. But where it relates to _enlarged dominion_ , or to _renewed or extended rule_ , then it does so in virtue of its factors 4 and 10, and in harmony with their signification.

Our number "forty" agrees with the fact that "Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles (nations), until the times of the Gentiles (nations) be fulfilled." In other words, it is "a period of _probation_ , _trial_ , and _chastisement_ " for the people of God. And why must we be tested and chastised? Consider.

1 Peter 4:12-19 (NKJV)  
Beloved, **do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you** ; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed _are you,_ for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people's matters. Yet if _anyone suffers_ as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter. **For the time** _has come_ **for judgment to begin at the house of God** ; and if _it begins_ with us first, what will _be_ the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? Now _"If the righteous one is scarcely saved,_ _where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?"_ Therefore let **those who suffer according to the will of God** _commit their souls_ _to Him_ _in doing good_ , as to a faithful Creator.

As Peter declared long ago, "the time has come for _judgment_ to begin at the house of God." But this judgment is a "chastisement of _sons_ , and of a _covenant people_ ," a necessary step in the evolution of His people to bring us to righteousness, for it is written, "My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; For whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges _every son_ whom He receives" (Heb. 12:5-6; Prov. 3:11-12). Also, "Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields _the peaceable fruit of righteousness_ to those who have been trained by it" (Heb. 12:11). Could this be the meaning behind our "forty" of the "forty and two months"?

Here is the spiritual meaning of "two" from Bullinger.

We now come to the spiritual significance of the number Two. We have seen that _One_ excludes all difference, and denotes that which is sovereign. But Two affirms that there is a difference—there is _another_ ; while One affirms that there is not another!

This _difference_ may be for good or for evil. A thing may differ from evil, and be good; or it may differ from good, and be evil. Hence, the number Two takes a two-fold colouring, according to the context.

It is the first number by which we can _divide_ another, and therefore in all its uses we may trace this fundamental idea of _division_ or _difference_.

The _two_ may be, though different in character, yet one as to testimony and friendship. The Second that comes in may be for help and deliverance.

In our "forty and two months," we have "forty," signifying our "time and times," typifying the tribulation through which the church has and is now going through. This probation, trial, and chastisement, leads to a "division," which agrees with our "half" or " _dividing_ of time." In other words, it culminates in a _separation_ of the tares from the wheat (Matt. 13:24-30), the sheep from the goats (Matt. 24:31-46), a _division_ of the righteous from the unrighteous. This, my friend, is the meaning behind the seventh trumpet, for as the "voice" of the "trumpet," the voice of the Lord becomes more pronounced in His people, some shall truly turn from unrighteousness to righteousness, and declare the work of Christ to a world cloaked in darkness.

# Chapter Ten

# THE DEAD IN CHRIST

Revelation 11:15 (KJV)  
And **the seventh angel sounded** ; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become _the kingdoms_ of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

1 Corinthians 15:51-52 (NKJV)  
Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed-- in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, **at the last trumpet**. For **the trumpet will sound** , and **the dead will be raised incorruptible** , and we shall be changed.

Look closely at our passages above. I believe they are connected, for the " _last_ trumpet" in I Corinthians 15 is the trumpet of the " _seventh_ angel" in Revelation 11. Why do I say this? It's simple logic. There are only _seven_ trumpets in the book of Revelation, _so the seventh is the last_. And remember, the spiritual meaning of _seven_ is "fullness" or "completion." What began with a "seed" ends with the "fruit" of the tree wherein the seed is found once more. This is the meaning of seven. This does, of course, also indicate _harvest_ , for once the fruit appears and ripens, it is ready to be _separated_ from the tree for food and to provide more seed for future planting. The idea of "separation" aligns with our understanding of "half a time" or "the dividing of time," the _separation_ of light _from_ darkness.

Luke 8:11 (NKJV)  
"Now the parable is this: The **seed** is the **word of God**.

So let's keep this simple. As Jesus taught in the Parable of the Sower, the "seed" is "the word of God," so isn't God's Word His covenants, both Old and New? Of course. And as we have discovered, the covenants exemplify the principle of sowing and reaping as Paul wrote about in Galatians, Chapter 6.

If we are correct in saying that the book of Revelation is an understanding of the spiritual work of Christ through His people, then there is an order in which all of this transpires. This order, if you will, is established in the first four chapters as the seven angels and seven churches and the seven messages to these churches. Following this, we see the Lord taking the seven-sealed scroll or book from the right hand of the Father, verifying that He alone is worthy to finish the work of God "in Spirit," that He began in the flesh almost two thousand years ago. Following this, we see the opening of the seven seals, the sounding of the seven trumpets, and the pouring out of the seven vials. So, to put it another way, we are seeing the evolution or progressive "work" of the "seed" of the living Word of God from beginning to end as Christ taught in the Parable of the Sower. This means that the "end" will be the "good ground" "who indeed _bears fruit_ and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty" (Matt. 13:23). Since the covenants are the foundation of this living Word, we could also say that the work of the seed is the progressive unfolding of the covenants of God, the spiritual work of sowing and reaping that is evident in all the affairs of humankind.

1 Corinthians 3:6-8 (NKJV)  
I planted, Apollos watered, but **God gave the increase**. So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, **but God who gives the increase**. Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor.

As Paul indicates, the one who plants and waters is not anything apart from "God who gives the increase." Why? Because the times and seasons are in His authority and He alone is responsible for everything that is needed to bring forth the maturation of the seed. Let's return to our passages concerning the seventh angel and trumpet, and bring in the rest of the passages.

Revelation 11:15-19 (NKJV)  
Then **the seventh angel sounded** : And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, " **The kingdoms of this world have become** _the kingdoms_ **of our Lord and of His Christ** , and He shall reign forever and ever!" And the twenty-four elders who sat before God on their thrones fell on their faces and worshiped God, saying: "We give You thanks, O Lord God Almighty, The One who is and who was and who is to come, because You have taken Your great power and reigned. **The nations were angry** , and **your wrath has come** , and **the time of the dead, that they should be judged** , and that **You should reward Your servants the prophets and the saints** , and **those who fear Your name** , small and great, and should **destroy those who destroy the earth**." Then **the temple of God was opened in heaven** , and **the ark of His covenant was seen in His temple**. And there were **lightnings** , **noises (voices)** , **thunderings** , an **earthquake** , and **great hail**.

Notice that following the sounding of the trumpet by the seventh angel that "The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ." As we continue to read, we find a progression that led up to this seventh trumpet. They are:

1. The nations _were_ angry (past tense).

2. Your wrath _has_ come (past tense).

3. The time of the dead, that they should be judged (about to happen).

4. You should reward Your servants the prophets and the saints, and those who fear Your name (about to happen).

5. Destroy those who destroy the earth (about to happen).

6. The temple of God was opened in heaven, and the ark of His covenant was seen in His temple. And there were lightnings, voices, thunderings, an earthquake, and great hail (present tense).

It's safe to say that all we are considering concerns "the resurrection of the dead." So let's bring this together with the following.

John 5:28-29 (NKJV)  
Do not marvel at this; for **the hour is coming** in which **all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth** \--those who have done good, to the **resurrection of life** , and those who have done evil, to the **resurrection of condemnation**.

Matthew 24:36 (KJV)  
But of that **day** and **hour** knoweth no _man_ , no, not the angels of heaven, but **my Father only**.

Is the "hour" of John 5:28 the same "hour" to which Jesus refers to in Matthew 24:36?

Acts 24:14-15 (KJV)  
But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing **all things which are written in the law and in the prophets** : And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that **there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust**.

I love what Paul says in these passages. He believed "all things which are written in the law and in the prophets," and then indicates that "there shall be a resurrection of the dead, _both_ of the _just_ and _unjust_." At this point, many think literally, of those who have passed from this earth, however, let's consider a couple of things.

Romans 6:1-10 (KJV)  
What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall **we, that are dead to sin** , live any longer therein? Know ye not, that **so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death**? Therefore **we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life**. For **if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also** _in the likeness_ **of** _his_ **resurrection** : Knowing this, that **our old man is crucified with** _him_ **, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin**. Now **if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him** : Knowing that **Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him**. For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.

Paul, who was certainly alive at the time he wrote this, states, "How shall we _, that are dead to sin_ , live any longer therein?" In other words, Paul indicated that there were those who, like himself, were "dead to sin." Then he writes, "Know ye not, that _so many of us_ (not everyone) as were baptized into Jesus Christ _were baptized into his death_?" I do not believe this refers to water baptism, but to the baptism of the Holy Spirit, which is seen first in Acts, Chapter 2, and which Paul experienced on the road to Damascus in Acts, Chapter 9.

Paul then continues his thought—"Therefore we (including Paul himself) _are buried with him_ (Christ)." How? "By _baptism into death_." The result? "Newness of life." Why? Because " _our old man is crucified with him_ , that _the body of sin might be destroyed_ , that henceforth _we should not serve sin_. For _he that is dead is freed from sin_." "He that is dead" how? By "baptism _into_ death." And if my theory is correct, this is a spiritual baptism, a baptism of such power that it changes the very essence of who someone is or has been. Could this be what Paul referred to when he said, "Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but _we shall all be changed_?" When? "At the last trumpet." And what is this change? It is when this corruptible _puts on_ incorruption, and this mortal _puts on_ immortality. "Then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: 'Death is swallowed up in victory.'" Which "death" does Paul refer to here? Consider.

Ephesians 2:1-3 (NKJV)  
And you _He made alive,_ **who were dead in trespasses and sins** , _in which you once walked_ according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the **spirit** who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.

In agreement with Romans 6, the "death" that is "swallowed up in victory" is the "old man" crucified with Christ, the "body of sin" destroyed. And according to Ephesians, this equates to no longer conducting ourselves "according to the course of _this_ world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the _spirit_ who now works in the sons of disobedience" (note that it is a _spirit_ that works in the sons of disobedience). And what does this "spirit" cause us to do? We conduct ourselves "in the _lusts of our flesh_ , _fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind_." We are then "by nature _children of wrath_ , just as the others," i.e. we live according to our own desires, our own will in complete disregard to the will of God. As a result, we answer to the principle of sowing to our own flesh and reaping the corruption that follows, to the law of God which works wrath (Rom. 4:15).

Now, hopefully I won't lose you here, but in Acts 24:15, Paul clearly states that there will be "a resurrection of the _dead_ , _both_ of the _just_ and the _unjust_." So who are the "just?" The " _dead_ in Christ." Who are the "unjust?" The " _dead_ in trespasses and sins." Therefore, as Jesus taught, "The hour is coming in which all who are in the graves (dead) will hear His voice and come forth—those who have done good, to _the resurrection of life_ (just), and those who have done evil, to _the resurrection of condemnation_ (unjust)." Please consider.

Daniel 12:1-7 (NKJV)  
"At that time Michael shall stand up, the great prince who stands _watch_ over the sons of your people; **And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation,** _even_ **to that time. And at that time your people shall be delivered, every one who is found written in the book**. And **many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, some to shame** _and_ **everlasting contempt**. _Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament_ , and **those who turn many to righteousness** like the stars forever and ever. But you, Daniel, _shut up the words_ , and **seal the book until the time of the end** ; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase." Then I, Daniel, looked; and there stood two others, one on this riverbank and the other on that riverbank. And _one_ said to the man clothed in linen, who _was_ above the waters of the river, "How long shall the _fulfillment_ of these wonders _be?"_ Then I heard the man clothed in linen, who _was_ above the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand to heaven, and swore by Him who lives forever, that _it shall be_ for **a time, times, and half** _a time_ _;_ and when the power of the holy people has been completely shattered, all these _things_ shall be finished.

Do you see the correlation of these passages with the resurrection of the just and the unjust? First, consider that "Michael" means, "Who (is) like God," and is the name of an archangel. Does this agree with, "For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, _with the voice of an archangel_?"

"And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation, even to that time. And _at that time_ your people shall be delivered, _every one who is found written in the book_." Daniel is then told to "shut up the words, and _seal the book until the time of the end_." And what "book" is this? Consider.

Revelation 5:1 (KJV)  
And I saw **in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book** written within and on the backside, **sealed** with seven seals.

Is the "book" which Daniel was told to "seal" the same "book" which is seen "in the right hand of him that sat on the throne?" Isn't this book also "sealed?" And what do we mean by "sealed?" It means to "shut up the words," in other words, for a time, it remains a mystery. This coincides with the following.

2 Timothy 2:19 (NKJV)  
Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, **having this seal** : "The Lord knows those who are His," and, "Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity."

The "seal" of God are those whom God knows, those who name the name of Christ and "depart from iniquity (lawlessness)," in other words, _a people who walk in righteousness_. Our word "seal" means, "A _signet_ (as _fencing_ in or protecting from misappropriation); by implication the _stamp_ impressed (as a mark of privacy, or genuineness)." Without a doubt, those who are sealed would include the twelve apostles who walked with Christ and penned the letters of the New Testament. Will there be others? There will, as evidenced by the following.

Revelation 7:2-4 (NKJV)  
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...

Do you see it? Here John sees a 144,000 "servants of our God" who are "sealed" on "their foreheads." Would this "seal" speak of the "mind of Christ"? (I Cor. 2:16). I believe it does. We'll come back to this.

Look once more at John 5:28-29 in comparison with Daniel 12:1-3.

John 5:28-29 (NKJV)  
Do not marvel at this; for **the hour is coming** in which **all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth** \--those who have done good, to the **resurrection of life** , and those who have done evil, to the **resurrection of condemnation**.

Daniel 12:1-3 (NKJV)  
"At that time Michael shall stand up, the great prince who stands _watch_ over the sons of your people; **And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation,** _even_ **to that time**. And **at that time your people shall be delivered** , every one who is found written in the book. And **many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake** , some to everlasting life, some to shame _and_ everlasting contempt. Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, and those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever.

We read, "There shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation, even to that time. And _at that time_ ," during this time of great tribulation, "your people," those whom God seals, "shall be delivered, _every one who is found written in the book_. And many," not all, "of those who sleep in the dust of the earth," the dead in Christ _and_ the dead in trespasses and sins, "shall awake, some to everlasting life," again the just, "some to shame and everlasting contempt," the unjust. And what follows this? " _Those who are wise_ shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, and _those who turn many to righteousness_ like the stars forever and ever." You see, my friend, it is not about His people leaving this planet to a heaven far away, but of the Lord Himself descending from heaven to earth "with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the _dead in Christ_ will rise first" (I Thess. 4:16). No wonder Paul wrote the following preceding his declaration about the "last trumpet" in I Corinthians, Chapter 15.

1 Corinthians 15:46-49 (NKJV)  
However, **the spiritual is not first** , _but the natural_ , and **afterward the spiritual**. The **first man** _was_ of the earth, _made_ **of dust** ; the **second Man** _is_ **the Lord from heaven**. As _was_ **the** _man_ **of dust** , so also _are_ **those** _who are made_ **of dust** ; and **as** _is_ **the heavenly** _Man_ _,_ so **also** _are_ **those** _who are_ **heavenly**. And **as we have borne the image of the** _man_ **of dust** , we shall also **bear the image of the heavenly** _Man_ _._

Do you see it? "All who are in the graves" are "those who _sleep_ in the _dust_ of the earth." The "dust" speaks of "the image of the man of dust," where we walk "according to the course of _this_ world, fulfilling the desires of the flesh (which came from dust), and the mind set on the flesh, which is death (Rom. 8:5-6). And the fact that it reads "shall awake" coincides with the following.

1 Corinthians 15:34 (KJV)  
**Awake to righteousness** , and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak _this_ to your shame.

Awake to what? _Righteousness_. Would this be those who "awake" and become "those who are wise" and "turn many to righteousness?" So Paul establishes the understanding that "the spiritual is not first, _but the natural_ , and afterward the spiritual." He then speaks of the "first man" who "was of the earth, _made of dust_." This would be the "old man" to which Paul refers in Romans, Chapter 6, the "natural" and carnal "man" who " _does not receive the things of the Spirit of God_ , for they are _foolishness_ to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned" (I Cor. 2:14).

Revelation 10:7 (KJV)  
But **in the days of the voice of the seventh angel** , _when he shall begin to sound_ , **the mystery of God should be finished** , as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.

Would the "days" of the voice of the seventh angel be our "three days" of the Feast of Tabernacles? Would the "mystery of God" coincide with the opening of the "seals" as seen in Revelation? Wouldn't this be an _awakening_ of many that will rise up in the _righteousness_ of the faith in Christ that will, beyond any doubt, show the power and efficacy of the living Word of truth as it did in Christ and the apostles so long ago? You see, my friend, there is much in the New Testament that we wish to pass over or make excuses for because it sounds impossible to attain, and in regard to human effort, it is. But through the power of God's Spirit, it is not. When Paul wrote that, "Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law" (Rom. 13:10), he knew exactly what he meant. And this divine love is what the apostles experienced on the Day of Pentecost. When our love for others consumes our love of the self, we will truly do no harm to our neighbor, we will walk in righteousness, for the one who walks in love keeps the commandments of God without effort, for "God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him" (I John 4:16).

Before I conclude this chapter, let me mention water baptism. This is a ritual that symbolizes death (as we go down in the water), burial (under the water), and resurrection (rising up out of the water). It is, of course, symbolic of the spiritual work that we have discussed, the eradication of the "old man" and the rise of the "new man" (Eph. 2:15). In the same way that we "rise up" out of the water, we are " _caught up together with them_ (the dead in Christ) in the clouds (Heb. 12:1) to meet the Lord in the air" (I Thess. 4:17). Would this be an upward spiritual shift that takes place within those who are watching for His appearing?

2 Timothy 4:8 (KJV)  
Henceforth there is laid up for me **a crown of righteousness** , which the Lord, the **righteous** judge, shall give me at that **day** : and not to me only, **but unto all them also that love his appearing**.

When the Lord descends from heaven, would this not be His appearing? Our word "appearing" means, "A _manifestation_ , i.e. (special) the _advent_ of Christ (past or future)." Will this be literal or in a people, i.e. the elect of God? I am inclined to believe it will take place in the elect.

2 Timothy 4:1 (KJV)  
I charge _thee_ therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, **who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom** ...

When shall Christ "judge the quick (living) and the dead?" "At His appearing."

1 Corinthians 15:12-26 (KJV)  
Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: And if Christ be not risen, then _is_ our preaching vain, and your faith _is_ also vain. Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: And if Christ be not raised, your faith _is_ vain; ye are yet in your sins. **Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished**. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. But now is Christ risen from the dead, _and_ **become the firstfruits of them that slept**. For since by man _came_ death, by man _came_ also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, **even so in Christ shall all be made alive**. **But every man in his own order** : **Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming**. **Then** _cometh_ **the end** , when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. **The last enemy** _that_ **shall be destroyed** _is_ **death**.

Read these passages carefully in light of all that we have discussed. What I love most of all is the following—"For as in Adam _all die_ , even so in Christ shall _all be made alive_." The fact that every single human being on this planet has experienced the death as pictured in Adam, so too will all experience the life that is pictured in Christ. Also note the particular _threefold_ order which Paul describes.

1. Christ the firstfruits.

2. Afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.

3. Then cometh the end.

"Christ the firstfruits." Would this speak of the _elect_ of God and "they that are Christ's at his coming" refer to His church, the body of Christ? I believe so. And what transpires afterward? "Then cometh the end." And what is this "end?" Would it not be the end of the age and not the end of the world? Would this "end" coincide with the "last day" of the Feast of Tabernacles and the seventh trumpet of I Corinthians, Chapter 15?

And what takes place at the end? Will Christ not "deliver up the kingdom to God, even the Father" and "put down all rule and all authority and power?" Will He not "put all enemies under His feet" and destroy the last enemy which is death? And how will this take place? Will it not be through the "elect," whom Christ gathers "with a great sound of a trumpet" and "from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other" (Matt. 24:31)? So the "end" will be a time when, "Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, and those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever."

# Chapter Eleven

# THE LITTLE BOOK

Matthew 24:29 (NKJV)  
"Immediately after the tribulation of those days **the sun will be darkened** , and **the moon will not give its light** ; the **stars will fall from heaven** , and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.

Let's talk plainly. I don't believe this passage is literal. When we read, "The _sun_ shall be darkened, and the _moon_ will not give its light," I believe Christ was giving us a symbolic presentation of our _two covenants_ and how we would reach a place where they would be rejected by the majority. The "stars" (Dan. 12:3) falling from heaven speaks of the decline of the Spirit of _righteousness_ which incorporates the other six Spirits in Isaiah 11. All of these "Spirits" if you will, should be seen in His people, but a great many have been snared by "the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things" entering in to "choke the word" and make us "unfruitful" (Mark 4:19). And when there is no "fruit of the Spirit" (Gal. 5:22), there can be no true testimony or witness of His living Word.

Revelation 10:7 (KJV)  
But in **the days of the voice of the seventh angel** , when he shall begin to sound, **the mystery of God should be finished** , as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.

The "voice" of the seventh angel is the voice of "righteousness." After all, this is the _seventh_ Spirit of God of the _seven_ Spirits of God before His throne (Rev. 4:5; Isa. 11:1-5). And what is the "mystery of God?" It is "Christ _in you_ , the hope of glory" (Col. 1:27). Is this what Paul referred to when he wrote, "Behold, _I tell you a mystery_ : We shall not all sleep, but _we shall all be changed?_ "

If my theory is correct, the " _days_ of the _voice_ of the _seventh_ angel" denotes a period of time where the "voice" or message of righteousness will again be established in the earth through a people in whom Christ abides. This would coincide with our three "days" of the Feast of Tabernacles. For this reason, while in the "Lord's Day" (Tabernacles proper), John saw Christ "in the midst of the seven lampstands" or churches, and "His voice as the sound of _many waters_ " (Rev. 1:13, 15). In other words, from the many who are called and scattered around the world (Eph. 1:23; 5:30), He will gather those who have overcome (Rev. 2:7, 11, 17, 26; 3:5, 12, 21; Matt. 24:31) and His voice will be heard through His _chosen_ or _elect_ (Matt. 20:16; 24:31). For the sake of study, I recommend the Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard in Matthew 20:1-16.

Now, let's take a moment to look at the passages concerning our seventh angel in Revelation, Chapter 10.

Revelation 10:1 (KJV)  
And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, **clothed with a cloud** : and **a rainbow** _was_ **upon his head** , and **his face** _was_ **as it were the sun** , and **his feet as pillars of fire** ...

When we compare the description of this seventh angel with the vision of Christ in Revelation, Chapter 1, and with Paul's declaration in I Thessalonians 4:16, I believe we are seeing Christ Himself. "For _the Lord Himself_ shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the _voice_ of the archangel." Christ _is_ the epitome of righteousness, so He shall appear in His elect with the message of righteousness needed for a world steeped in darkness.

"Clothed with a cloud" refers to Hebrews 12:1, a "great cloud of witnesses." The "rainbow" speaks of the covenant which God made with Noah after the flood, so Christ spoke of the "days of Noah" in Matthew 24 and Luke 17. "His face was as it were the sun," denotes the glorious light of the New Covenant while "his feet as pillars of fire" speaks of the "end of the age" (feet) and the purifying work of His living Word (Heb. 12:29).

Revelation 10:2 (KJV)  
And **he had in his hand a little book open** : and he set his right foot upon the sea, and _his_ left _foot_ on the earth...

In agreement with the understanding that this is truly a vision of Christ, we read, "And he had in his hand a _little book_ open." Does this correlate with Revelation 5:1 and 7 and the book sealed with seven seals? I believe it does. After all, it is Christ alone who opens the book. The difference at this point is that the book which Christ took in Revelation 5 has now been completely unsealed and fulfilled (Rev. 8:1). What is left is a "little book." Remember that this book signifies the "work" which Jesus came to do and to finish (John 4:34). Please consider.

Romans 9:25-29 (NKJV)  
As He says also in Hosea: "I will call them My people, who were not My people, and her beloved, who was not beloved." "And it shall come to pass in the place where it was said to them, 'You are not My people,' **there they shall be called sons of the living God**." Isaiah also cries out concerning Israel: "Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, **the remnant will be saved**. For **He will finish the work and cut it short in righteousness** , **because the Lord will make a short work upon the earth**." And as Isaiah said before: "Unless the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, **we would have become like Sodom, and we would have been made like Gomorrah**."

First we are told that, "I will call them My people, who were not My people, and her beloved, who was not beloved. And it shall come to pass in the place where it was said to them, 'You are not My people,' _there they shall be called sons of the living God_." This speaks of the fact that, through Christ, the New Covenant was given first to the Jews (Gal. 4:1-5), then to the nations (Mark 16:15). So Paul writes, "For he (anyone) is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh; but _he is a Jew who is one inwardly_ ; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God" (Rom. 2:28-29).

Now, notice closely that Paul then quotes Isaiah and states, "Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, the _remnant_ will be saved." What is meant by our word "remnant?" The definition reads, "A _remainder_ , i.e. (by implication) a _few_." This aligns with what Jesus said in Matthew 24:21-211—"For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. And _unless those days were shortened,_ no flesh would be saved; but for the _elect's_ sake those days _will be shortened_."

The "remnant" is the _few_ as opposed to the _many_ , those for whom the Lord will shorten the days; "For He will _finish_ the work and _cut it short in righteousness_ , because the Lord will make _a short work_ upon the earth." He will what? "Finish the work" as recorded in John 4:34. How? By cutting it "short in righteousness." This I believe, is the meaning of the "little book." It is symbolic of the remnant and the finishing of the work of Christ through them.

Finally, we read, "And as Isaiah said before: 'Unless the Lord of Sabaoth (Hosts; armies) had left us a _seed_ (the remnant), we would have become like Sodom, and we would have been made like Gomorrah.'" No wonder Jesus said, "Likewise also as it was in _the days of Lot_ " (Luke 17:28; KJV), again referring to the _remnant_ for whom He would shorten the days.

We should not be surprised at all by the fact that only a remnant will remain through the tribulation of the times we are even now experiencing. The Lord has always worked through the few as opposed to the majority. In reference to the children of Israel we read, "The Lord did not set his love upon you, nor _choose_ you, because ye were more in number than any people; for _ye were the fewest of all people_ " (Deut. 7:7; KJV). Furthermore, Christ chose only twelve disciples, and when the Day of Pentecost came, there were only 120 in the upper room. In light of the majority at that time, this was certainly few in number.

We must always keep in mind that the "work" of Christ is just that, the work _of Christ_. We cannot, nor ever be able to do what only Christ can do through His people. Apart from the presence and power of His Spirit, we are but "sounding brass or a clanging cymbal" (I Cor. 13:1). The love and self-sacrifice that are needed in this chaotic world can only be worked into and imparted to us by the power of His Holy Spirit.

Revelation 6:9-11 (KJV)  
And when he had opened the **fifth** seal, I saw **under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held** : And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not **judge** and **avenge** our blood on them that dwell on the earth? And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that _they should rest yet for_ **a little season** , **until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they** _were_ **, should be fulfilled**.

These passages concern the "fifth seal," and _five_ is the number which stands for "grace." Bullinger wrote the following.

_Five_ is four _plus_ one (4+1). We have had hitherto the three major Offices of the Godhead. Now we have a further revelation of a People called out from mankind, redeemed and saved, to walk with God from earth to heaven. Hence, Redemption follows creation. Inasmuch as in consequence of the fall of man creation came under the curse and was "made subject to vanity," therefore man and creation must be redeemed. Thus we have:

  1. Father

  2. Son

  3. Spirit

  4. Creation

  5. Redemption

These are the five great mysteries, and _five_ is therefore the number of GRACE.

If _four_ is the number of the world, then it represents man's weakness, and helplessness, and vanity, as we have seen.

But four _plus_ one (4+1=5) is significant of Divine strength added to and made perfect in that weakness; of omnipotence combined with the impotence of earth; of Divine _favour_ uninfluenced and invincible.

When the _fifth_ seal is opened, we see "under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held." Would these souls not be part of the "dead in Christ?" Furthermore, the fact that they were "slain for the Word of God" does not necessarily imply just martyrdom, but the death of the "old man" (self) in light of the new, done by the _grace_ and _Word_ and _Spirit_ of God. These souls are those who were "baptized into His death" (Rom. 6:3), who walked in the righteousness of their faith in Christ, and through whom the world was turned upside down by the power and presence of Christ in their midst (Acts 17:6).

"And _they cried with a loud voice_ , saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not _judge_ and _avenge_ our blood on them that dwell on the earth?" (Rev. 6:10) Does the "loud voice" of these souls correspond to our "loud voice, as of a trumpet"? (Rev. 1:10) I believe it does, for those who were chosen by Christ _became one_ with Him, thus their voice is a voice of _unity_ , bearing the _witness_ and _testimony_ of the truth as it is in the Father. And what did they cry? "How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You _judge_ and _avenge_ our blood on those who dwell on the earth?" So first we have judgment, followed by vengeance (vindication).

1 Peter 4:17 (KJV)  
For the time _is come_ that **judgment must begin at the house of God** : and if _it_ first _begin_ at us, what shall the end _be_ of them that obey not the gospel of God?

Judgment begins with the "house of God" first, for it is necessary to bring us to the righteousness that is so badly needed in this hour. When we view the _seventh_ church in Revelation, the church of Laodicea, we find that she is neither "cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth" (Rev. 3:15-16). Consider the following from _Vincent's Word Studies in the New Testament_.

**Judge (** κρίνεις **)  
** Originally the verb means _to separate_ ; thence the idea of _selection: to pick out_ , and so to _discriminate_ or _judge_.

Does Vincent's explanation of "judge" coincide with what we are considering concerning the remnant? Wouldn't this be confirmed by, "And it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer, until both _the number of their fellow servants and their brethren_ , who would be killed as they were, was completed?" Wouldn't "fellow servants and their brethren" indicate this remnant?

Following judgment is vengeance. Our word "avenge" in Revelation 6:10 means, "To _vindicate_ , _retaliate_ , _punish_." Most of us are quick to grab the idea of punishment from our word vengeance, however, the first definition given is "vindicate." _The Free Dictionary by Farlex_ online defines this word as, "To demonstrate or prove the value or validity of; justify." And what greater need is there than for the world to see that what the Law and the prophets foretold, and what the apostles of Christ delivered to us almost two thousand years ago, is as relevant today as it was then?

Romans 12:19-21 (NKJV)  
Beloved, **do not avenge yourselves** , but _rather_ **give place to wrath** ; for it is written, " **Vengeance** is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. Therefore "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but **overcome evil with good**.

2 Thessalonians 1:1-12 (NKJV)  
Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other, so that we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience and faith in **all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure** , _which is_ **manifest evidence of the righteous judgment of God** , that **you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer** ; since _it is_ **a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you** , and to _give_ you who are troubled **rest** with us **when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking** _vengeance_ **on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ**. These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, **when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe** , because our testimony among you was believed. Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of _this_ calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of _His_ goodness and the work of faith with power, that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

In this chapter from II Thessalonians, we discover that the persecutions and tribulations that are endured by the church are a "manifest evidence of _the righteous judgment_ of God" in order to "be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, _for which you also suffer_." Doesn't this agree with the understanding of the judgment of the house of God, first?

We then read, "It is _a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you_." Doesn't this agree with the _vengeance_ of the fifth seal? Furthermore, "And to give you who are troubled _rest_ with us _when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels_ , in flaming fire (see Hebrews 1:7) _taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ_." Doesn't all of this align with I Peter 4:17? Paul then concludes with, "These shall be punished with _everlasting destruction_ from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, when He comes, _in that Day_ , to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe."

Now, don't misunderstand what is meant by " _everlasting_ destruction." The word "everlasting" is the same Greek word as "eternal" in " _eternal_ life." Eternal life means that "life," as defined by our Creator, _is the same in every age_ (which is the state of righteousness in our being). In the same way, "everlasting destruction" doesn't mean punishment never ends. Rather, it means that the punishment of those who do not obey the gospel _is the same in every age_ , which is to be delivered over to the "wrath" of the Law of God which resides over our natural being. And the purpose of the law or wrath of God is to bring us to Christ (Gal. 3:24; see also Rev. 22:2). Furthermore, our phrase "everlasting destruction" coincides with Paul's statement in I Thessalonians, Chapter 5, where we read, "For when they say, 'Peace and safety!' then _sudden destruction_ comes upon them, _as labor pains upon a pregnant woman_. And they shall not escape" (I Thess. 5:3). And what are these "labor pains" for? Again, to bring forth Christ in a people (Gal. 4:19).

Is our phrase "in that Day," speaking of the "Day of the Lord," the final day of the Feast of Tabernacles? Does the phrase "when the Lord Jesus _is revealed from heaven_ with His mighty angels" coincide with "the Lord Himself _will descend from heaven_ with a shout, with _the voice of an archangel_?"

Note that the word "archangel" means, "A _chief angel_ ," taken from two words, _archō_ and _angelos_. _Archō_ means, "To be _first_ (in political rank or power)," while _angelos_ means, "To _bring tidings_ ; a _messenger_." This is the same word used for "angel" and "angels" throughout the book of Revelation and coincides with our seven Spirits of God. We could say then that an "archangel" is indicative of the "fullness" or "seventh" angel, again _the message of righteousness_ that proceeds from _the Spirit of Righteousness_ through Christ in the remnant (See also Luke 20:34-38).

Look again at the phrase, "And to give you who are troubled _rest_ with us." This correlates with our souls in the fifth seal where we read, "And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should _rest_ yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled." Would they "that should be killed as they were" speak of others who are to be "baptized into His death?" (See also Heb. 4:1-11)

Consider once more those "who do not know God" and "do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ," and that they "shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power."

Zechariah 14:16-19 (NKJV)  
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**. 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**.

Revelation 14:9-12 (KJV)  
And **the third angel** followed them, saying with a loud voice, if any man worship the beast and his image, and receive _his_ mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and **he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb** : And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and **they have no rest day nor night** , who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. **Here is the patience of the saints: here** _are_ **they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus**.

In agreement with what we are considering concerning the remnant and the Feast of Tabernacles, we find these passages in Revelation, Chapter 14. The reason I believe they coincide is found in the first five verses of this chapter. And what do we find? "A Lamb standing on Mount Zion, _and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand_ , having His Father's name written on their foreheads" (Rev. 14:1). This 144,000 is symbolic of our remnant, for we then read, " _These are the ones_ who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These were _redeemed from among men,_ being _firstfruits_ to God and to the Lamb. And _in their mouth was found no deceit, for they are without fault before the throne of God_ " (Rev. 14:4-5). Would this description not indicate a people in whom righteousness abides? Also note that our number 144,000 is 12 x 12 x 1000. Twelve is the number of _divine government_. Two of these speak of _witness_ , whereas _one thousand_ indicates the "day" of the Lord, the _light_ of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Following the presentation of the remnant, there are _three angels_ which are seen "flying in the midst of heaven." The first has "the _everlasting gospel_ to preach to those who dwell on the earth—to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people" (Rev. 14:6). This agrees with the Lord's remark in Matthew 24:14.

The second declares, "Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she has made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication" (Rev. 14:8). This speaks of the fallen condition of the church as seen in the seventh church of Laodicea (Rev. 3:14-22).

Finally, our third angel and his message are seen in our passages in Revelation 14:9-12, "And the third angel followed them, _saying with a loud voice_ , if any man worship _the beast and his image_ ... _he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone_ in the _presence_ of the holy angels, and in the _presence_ of the Lamb: And _the smoke of their torment_ ascendeth up for ever and ever: and _they have no rest day nor night_ , who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name."

Does the "loud voice" of this third angel coincide with the "shout" of the Lord and the "voice of the archangel" seen in I Thessalonians 4:16? I believe it does, for the _third_ angel in this chapter is the _seventh_ angel in Revelation, Chapter 10, the _Spirit of Righteousness_ in Christ in the remnant in whose "mouth is found no deceit" (Rev. 14:5).

The "beast and his image" speak of the natural, carnal man of our being, the "old man," the self who must be denied and brought to the self-sacrifice of the message of the cross of Christ (I Cor. 1:17; Gal. 6:12; Phil. 3:18).

The torment of the "fire and brimstone" denotes the "second death" of Revelation 2:11, 20:6, 20:14, and 21:8. But this is not a natural fire, but a message of righteousness from the true ministers of Christ, for God "makes His angels spirits and His ministers _a flame of fire_ " (Heb. 1:7).

When we reconsider the last three Spirits of the seven Spirits of God in Isaiah 11, they coincide with our illustration of the lampstand and with the three "days" of the Feast of Tabernacles. They are the Spirit of fear, might, and understanding. The Spirit of fear coincides with the Day of Trumpets, while the Spirit of might coincides with the Day of Atonement. Finally, the Spirit of understanding correlates with the Feast of Tabernacles proper. Let's look at our passages from Isaiah, Chapter 11, once again.

Isaiah 11:1-4 (NKJV)  
1 There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots. 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 with the breath of His lips He shall slay the wicked.

Note how I have placed the seven Spirits of God. In Isaiah we read "the Spirit of wisdom _and_ understanding" first, so, I've placed this on the _first_ and _seventh_ branch of the lampstand because this first branch _extends_ to the central branch _to become_ the seventh branch. The same is true for "the Spirit of counsel _and_ might" and "knowledge _and_ of the fear of the Lord." As we have learned, the _seventh_ Spirit is the _spirit of righteousness_ (and judgment) as typified by the central branch. Since all six branches are joined to the central branch, this illustrates that _righteousness_ is _the summation of all six found in the one Spirit of the Lord_.

If we add each of our branches together in the following fashion, here is what we have:

1. 1st branch (Wisdom) and 7th branch (Understanding) = 8

2. 2nd branch (Counsel) and 6th branch (Might) = 8

3. 3rd branch (Knowledge) and 5th branch (Fear) = 8

Do you see it? Regardless of which branch we begin with, when we add them together we arrive at _eight_. Bullinger wrote that eight "is 7 _plus_ 1. Hence it is the number specially associated with _Resurrection_ and _Regeneration_ , and the beginning of a new era or order."

# Chapter Twelve

# THE DAY OF ATONEMENT

Leviticus 23:26-28 (KJV)  
And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Also on the **tenth** _day_ of this **seventh** month _there shall be_ **a day of atonement** : it shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall afflict your souls, and offer **an offering made by fire** unto the Lord. And **ye shall do no work in that same day** : for **it** _is_ **a day of atonement** , to make an atonement for you before the Lord your God.

The Feast of Tabernacles was introduced on the _first_ day of the _seventh_ month by the Day of Trumpets. This was done to call the nation of Israel to prepare for the coming Day of Atonement, the day of national cleansing.

Our two trumpets of silver are found in Numbers 10:2, 8, 9, Numbers 29:1, and II Chronicles 5:12-13. As we know, two speaks of _testimony_ and _witness_ (Deut. 17:6; 19:15; John 8:17-18; II Cor. 13:1). Silver speaks of _redemption_ (Exod. 30:11-16), so in the _two silver trumpets_ is seen the _witness_ or _testimony_ of the _redemptive_ work of the Lord. To put it plainly, the _sounding_ of these _two_ trumpets signifies the prophetic _voice of Christ_ (1) being fulfilled in and through _His people_ (2), and this despite our ignorance or lack of understanding it. No wonder Jesus said, "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but _my words shall not pass away_." The work of Christ continues in our midst in spite of us. It is this to which we need to awaken.

The Day of Atonement began on the _tenth_ day of the _seventh_ month. Ten means _the cycle is complete_. It is also indicative of _testing_ , _law_ , and _responsibility before the Lord_ (Vallowe; Rev. 2:10; Dan. 1:12).

As we know, _seven_ indicates _fullness_ or _completion_ , the _manifestation_ of the seed which was sown. So it is that when we come to the second "day" of our three days, the Day of Atonement, there is a certain _completeness_ to consider before the third and final "Day" of the Feast of Tabernacles.

Leviticus 17:11 (KJV)  
For **the life of the flesh** _is_ **in the blood** : and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an **atonement** for your souls: for **it** _is_ **the blood** _that_ **maketh an atonement for the soul**.

As Leviticus shows, " _the life of the flesh_ is in the blood." The "life of the flesh" refers to our human form and our human existence on this planet, but it goes deeper than this. The Apostle Paul wrote much in his letters concerning the difference between "flesh" and "Spirit," between the "carnal" (fleshly) mind and the spiritual mind. So the "life of the flesh" not only speaks of the natural blood that flows through our veins, but of the mind set on "the things of the flesh" (Rom. 8:5; KJV). This agrees with our previous thought in I John 2:15-17, where we read, " _Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him_. For all that is in the world—the _lust of the flesh_ , the _lust of the eyes_ , and _the pride of life_ (the boasting of what he has and does; NIV) —is not of the Father but is of the world. And _the world is passing away_ , and _the lust of it_ ; but he who does the will of God abides forever." No wonder Jesus taught, "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon (riches). Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not _life_ more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?" (Matt. 6:25-26) Also, "Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For after all these things the Gentiles (nations) seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. _But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you_. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day _is_ its own trouble" (Matt. 6:31-34).

When we start losing our blood, we are losing our fleshly life. If the loss of blood is not stopped, we die. So in the _blood_ is seen the spiritual understanding of the necessity to lose our lives for His sake (Matt. 10:39; 16:25; Mark 8:35; Luke 9:24), to lay down our will for His will (John 4:34), to surrender to the process of tribulation that is needed for our humbling (Acts 14:22). So it is the _blood_ that is important in our consideration and which makes an _atonement_ for the soul. Our word "atonement" means, " _Expiation_ ," taken from the word which means, "To _cover_ (specifically with bitumen); figurative to _expiate_ or _condone_ , to _placate_ or _cancel_." In the King James Version of scripture, it is translated as "appease, make (an) atonement, cleanse, disannul, forgive, be merciful, pacify, pardon, purge (away), put off, (make) reconcile (-liation)."

The _Merriam-Webster Dictionary_ online defines "expiate" as, "1) To put an end to, 2) a. To extinguish the guilt incurred by, b. To make amends for."

In all of our definitions, it is apparent that the _blood_ of _atonement_ incorporates many things, but can be summed up in the idea of complete _self-sacrifice_. In the act of atonement or _shedding of blood_ , there is the covering of sin, the appeasing of the wrath of God, forgiveness, annulment of debt, remission of sin, reconciliation, and healing—in short, all that is needed for bringing us from a state of unfitness and rejection all the way to the throne of glory. There is no lack in God's plan of atonement and redemption in Christ.

The picture of Christ on the cross is the picture of ultimate sacrifice, for Christ did not die for His own sins or reconciliation, but for ours. However, the Lord's death on the cross was merely a reflection of His death at the Jordan River when He was baptized by John. The word "Jordan" is defined by the Strong's Concordance as, "A _descender_ ," and is taken from the word which means, "To _descend_ (literal to _go downwards_ ; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figurative to _fall_ ); causative to _bring down_." Inwardly, Jesus died at the Jordan River. Outwardly, He died on the cross. Remember, water baptism is symbolic of death, burial, and resurrection.

1 Peter 4:7-8 (NKJV)  
But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. And above all things have fervent love for one another, for " **love will cover a multitude of sins**."

James 5:19-20 (NKJV)  
Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death **and cover a multitude of sins**.

Hebrews 9:22 (NIV)  
In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and **without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness**.

For a very long time, the church has balked at the idea of perfection, of a life without sin. Yet Jesus said, "Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect" (Matt. 5:48). As a result, we have attempted to talk our way around this idea. But John wrote, "Whoever has been born of God _does not sin_ , for His seed remains in him; _and he cannot sin_ , because he has been born of God" (I John 3:9). When someone is truly born of God, not only does he not sin, "he cannot sin." Why? Because the righteous nature of Christ within prevents it.

Before you scoff at my presentation, consider that John followed his statement about "born of God" with, "Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; _and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God_ " (I John 4:7). If we put this in contemporary terms, a "perfect" life of a person who is "born of God" is someone who walks in _unconditional love_. And how many times have you heard someone speak about unconditional love? Doesn't this make it easier to comprehend?

In George Warnock's book, _The Feast of Tabernacles_ , he describes the third and final "Day" of this feast as one of _unity_ , _joy_ , _ingathering_ , _rest_ , _glory_ , _restoration_ , and _appearing_. But before we can experience any of this, there must first be a realization and appropriation of the Day of Atonement. The self-sacrifice of Christ must become the self-sacrifice seen in His elect. In order for the world to see the light of Tabernacles, there must first be _a laying down of our own lives and the fear of death_ which is so prevalent among us. And it is apparent that most of us are but "children" in light of this truth, for we are still very much divided over our denominational labels and our differences in doctrines. Friend, the world could care less about what we call ourselves or if our doctrines agree. They are not moved by our nice buildings, programs, or how many attend our churches. Rather, they are in need of a people whose self-sacrifice is evident and the presence of Christ is obvious. "Fervent _love_ for one another" is what covers a multitude of sins, for " _love_ is the fulfilling of the law" (Rom. 13:10; KJV). It is the _love of God,_ which brings forgiveness, mercy, pardon, and reconciliation, and puts an end to the guilt incurred by our wrongdoings. And self-sacrifice inspires further self-sacrifice, for what we do is far more important than what we say.

The Day of Atonement was the most solemn day of all the Feasts of Israel. It was the only day of the year that the High Priest was allowed into the Holy of Holies (Most Holy Place) in the Tabernacle of Moses. Hebrews, Chapter 9, describes for us the type and the reality, and the necessity of the blood in the first covenant as well as the second.

Hebrews 9:1-28 (NIV)  
**Now the first covenant had regulations for worship and also an earthly sanctuary**. A tabernacle was set up. In its first room were the lampstand, the table and the consecrated bread; **this was called the Holy Place**. Behind the second curtain was a room called **the Most Holy Place** , which had the golden altar of incense and the gold-covered ark of the covenant. This ark contained the gold jar of manna, Aaron's staff that had budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant. Above the ark were the cherubim of the Glory, overshadowing the atonement cover. But we cannot discuss these things in detail now. When everything had been arranged like this, the priests entered regularly into the outer room to carry on their ministry. **But only the high priest entered the inner room, and that only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance. The Holy Spirit was showing by this that the way into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed as long as the first tabernacle was still standing. This is an illustration for the present time, indicating that the gifts and sacrifices being offered were not able to clear the conscience of the worshiper. They are only a matter of food and drink and various ceremonial washings--external regulations applying until the time of the new order. When Christ came as high priest of the good things that are already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not man-made, that is to say, not a part of this creation. He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption.** The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. **How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!** For this reason Christ is the mediator of a **new covenant** , that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance--now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant. In the case of a will, it is necessary to prove the death of the one who made it, **because a will is in force only when somebody has died; it never takes effect while the one who made it is living. This is why even the first covenant was not put into effect without blood.** When Moses had proclaimed every commandment of the law to all the people, he took the blood of calves, together with water, scarlet wool and branches of hyssop, and sprinkled the scroll and all the people. He said, "This is **the blood of the covenant** , which God has commanded you to keep." In the same way, he sprinkled with the blood both the tabernacle and everything used in its ceremonies. In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and **without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness**. It was necessary, then, for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these sacrifices, _but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these_. **For Christ did not enter a man-made sanctuary that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God's presence**. Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own. Then Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. **But now he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages** to do away with sin **by the sacrifice of himself.** Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and **he will appear a second time,** not to bear sin **, but** to bring salvation **to those who are waiting for him.**

In the same way that Christ fulfilled Passover and Pentecost in Himself, He also fulfilled the Feast of Tabernacles. As Hebrews shows us, Christ entered into "the Most Holy Place," representative of the throne and presence of God, " _once for all_ by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption." For this reason, He is more than able to lead a people into this same experience.

Hebrews 10:19-25 (NKJV)  
Therefore, brethren, **having boldness to enter the Holiest** by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, **through the veil, that is, His flesh** , and _having_ a High Priest over the house of God, **let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water**. Let us hold fast the confession of _our_ hope without wavering, for He who promised _is_ faithful. And **let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works** , not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as _is_ the manner of some, but exhorting _one another,_ **and so much the more as you see the Day approaching**.

Note that we read, "And so much the more as you see _the Day_ approaching." Is this the "Day" of the Feast of Tabernacles? I believe it is. Does this also indicate that we can see this "day" approaching? It does, but only to "those who are waiting for Him."

To end this chapter, let me share with you Vincent's treatment of Hebrews 10:22.

**Let us draw near** (προσερχώμεθα)

See on Hebrews 4:16.

**With a true heart** (μετὰ ἀληθινῆς καρδίας)

A right and genuine inward attitude toward God. For the phrase comp. lxx, Isaiah 38:3. N.T.o. For ἀληθινῆς see on John 1:9, and comp. Hebrews 8:2; 9:24. A true heart is required to enter the true sanctuary. The phrase means more than in _sincerity_. Sincerity is included, but with it all that enters into a right attitude toward God as revealed in our Great High Priest, —gladness, freedom, enthusiasm, bold appropriation of all the privileges of sonship.

**In full assurance of faith** (ἐν πληροφορίᾳ πίστεως)

Full conviction engendered by faith. See on Hebrews 6:11. Faith is the basis of all right relation to God.

**Sprinkled from an evil conscience** (ῥεραντισμένοι **—** ἀπὸ συνειδήσεως πονηρᾶς)

This qualification for a right approach to God is stated typologically. As the priests were sprinkled with the sacrificial blood and washed with water before ministering, so do you who have now the privilege and standing of priests in approaching God, draw near, priestlike, as sharers in an economy which purges the conscience (Heb. 9:14), having your consciences purged. Your own hearts must experience the effects of the great sacrifice of Christ, —pardon, moral renewal, deliverance from a legal spirit. On the priesthood of believers see 1 Peter 2:5, 9; Exodus 19:6; Isaiah 61:6. This idea is dominated in our epistle by that of Christ's priesthood; but it is not excluded, and is implied throughout. See Hebrews 13:15. For _sprinkled_ , see on 1 Peter 1:2.

**Bodies washed** (λελουσμένοι τὸ σῶμα)

Also typological. Most, expositors refer to baptism. The most significant passage in that direction is 1 Peter 3:21; comp. Ephesians 5:26; Titus 3:5. It may be, though I doubt if the idea is emphasized. I incline, with Dr. Bruce, to think that it indicates generally the thoroughness of the cleansing process undergone by one who surrenders himself, soul, body, and spirit, to God.

# Chapter Thirteen

# THE FEAST OF TABERNACLES

Leviticus 23:34  
"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.

The Feast of Tabernacles began on the _fifteenth_ day of the _seventh_ month. Consider Bullinger's explanation of the spiritual meaning of _fifteen_.

_Fifteen_ being a multiple of _five_ , partakes of the significance of that number, also of the number _three_ with which it is combined, 3 x 5.

_Five_ is, as we have seen, the number of _grace_ , and _three_ is the number of _divine perfection. Fifteen_ , therefore, specially refers to acts wrought by the energy of Divine grace.

_Fifteen_ being 8 + 7 as well as 3 x 5, it may also include a reference to resurrection, as being a special mark of the energy of Divine grace issuing in glory.

As Bullinger shows, fifteen "refers to acts wrought by the energy of Divine grace." As mentioned before, this is the work of God through Christ, divinely sanctioned and divinely wrought. It is His Word being fulfilled _by_ Him. What our heavenly Father has determined is certainly coming to pass.

I must also embrace the idea that _fifteen_ "may also include a reference to resurrection, as being a special mark of the energy of Divine grace issuing in glory." As this study shows, the seventh trumpet is the last trumpet, and the last trumpet has to do with the appearing of the Lord and the resurrection. Our word "resurrection" means, "A _standing up_ again," which agrees with the fact that the Lord will validate His Word in His people.

It is my opinion that the resurrection is not so much outward as it is inward. Just as John was "in the Spirit on the Lord's Day" (Rev. 1:10; KJV), and then taken _even higher_ to the throne of God in Revelation 4:1, so too the resurrection is an ascending to the throne and presence of God in a way that transforms the very nature of who we are.

Leviticus 23:39-44 (NKJV)  
'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_ _._ 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. 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. **You shall dwell in booths for seven days**. All who are native Israelites shall dwell in booths, 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.' " So Moses declared to the children of Israel the feasts of the Lord.

Our phrase, "When you have gathered in the _fruit_ of the land" leads me to believe that it speaks in type about "the _fruit_ of the Spirit" (Gal. 5:22-23), for in Galatians 5:24, Paul follows with, "And they that are Christ's _have crucified the flesh_ with the affections and lusts." They have done what? "Crucified the flesh," putting to death the "old man" or self to be resurrected and thus walking in the love and Spirit of God in all of its glory. And remember also that the "fruit" is the _fullness_ and _manifestation_ (7) of the seed that was sown. All three segments of the Feast of Tabernacles take place in the _seventh_ month.

Our phrase, "You shall dwell in booths for seven days" can be explained by the following.

Hebrews 11:13 (KJV)  
These all died in faith, **not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off** , and were persuaded of _them_ , and embraced _them_ , **and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth**.

Egypt _is a type of the world_ , a type of the "bondage of corruption" (Rom. 8:21) under which we abide while in the world. In conjunction with Hebrews 11:13, this shows that the one who has truly entered into Christ has arrived at a place in mind and spirit where they recognize that the world and the things in it are but a passing experience that leads to a higher realm. They are "strangers" and "pilgrims on the earth."

The "seven days" in booths is a reflection of our "seven days" on the lampstand, signifying _all three feasts and their segments_ , for once we enter into the experience of the Feast of Tabernacles, we become a testimony of all the feasts. The "work" of the seed of the living Word has brought the reality of Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles in all of its glorious fulfillment. Tabernacles is the _consummation_ of that which began with the Feast of Passover.

Finally, we read, "And on the _eighth_ day a sabbath-rest." Remember, _eight_ is "the number specially associated with Resurrection and Regeneration, and the beginning of a new era or order" (Bullinger). Being a sabbath, it typifies that the "work" of His people is done through the Spirit of Christ and not man, "For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His" (Heb. 4:10). The eighth day was also the twenty-second day of the seventh month, and twenty-two is the number of "light" (Vallowe). Perhaps for this reason, when we arrive at the twenty-second chapter of Revelation, we arrive at light.

Hebrews 4:11-16 (NKJV)  
**Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest** , lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience. For the word of God _is_ living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.

**Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast** **our** **confession**.

For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.

**Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need**.

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Thank you for reading my book. It is my sincere hope that it encouraged and enlightened you in your walk with Christ. If so, won't you please take a moment to leave me a review at your favorite retailer? Thank you!

Jack Marshall

**About the Author** :

Jack Marshall was born in California in 1957, but raised in Oklahoma, where his experience with Christianity began at the age of 19. After several years of attending various denominational and non-denominational churches, his love for the Bible and desire to understand the scriptures became a vital part of his life. Ordained in his twenties, he spent several years ministering in homes, jails, and churches. Through in-depth study for the past 38 years, Jack has discovered that the message of scripture is truly one of hope, love, and encouragement for the entire world.

Connect With Me:

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Other books by Jack Marshall

The Dream – Through the Eyes of Sowing and Reaping

Hell, No! An Alternative View of Hell

The Rapture – Yes or No?

Studies in Revelation – The Beasts of Revelation

The Parable of the Sower

Studies in Revelation – The Second Death

The Unpardonable Sin

Studies in Revelation – The Beast of the Earth

Eastward in Eden

Deep Sleep

The Serpent – An Alternative View of the Devil

Studies in Revelation – The Fullness of the Times

Studies in Revelation – Babylon the Great

Death, Burial, Resurrection – The Divine Process of God in Humankind

Dead Men's Bones – A Case Against Eternal Torment

Studies in Revelation – The Two Witnesses

**Bibliography**

Reference:

E.W. Bullinger (1837-1913), Number in Scripture: Its Supernatural Design and Spiritual Significance, Public Domain, 1921

Dr. Ed F. Vallowe (1919-2002), Biblical Mathematics: Keys to Scripture Numerics: How to Count the Bible, 1998

Dr. James Strong (1822-1894), Strong's Concordance, First Published 1890

Marvin R. Vincent (1834-1922), Vincent's Word Studies in the New Testament, First Published 1887

George H. Warnock, The Feast of Tabernacles, July 1951

Kevin J. Conner, The Feasts of Israel, City Christian Publishing, 1980

Reference (Online):

The Free Dictionary by Farlex, www.thefreedictionary.com

Merriam-Webster Dictionary, www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary

Bible Translations Used:

KJV, King James Version, Public Domain, 1611

NKJV, New King James Version, Published by Thomas Nelson, Inc., Complete Bible 1982

NIV, New International Version, Biblica, Zondervan and Hodder & Stoughton (UK) (licensed commercial rights), 1973 (NT), 1978 (OT)

