Last Great Day 2020
(Sermon Notes) by Warren Zehrung 10/10/20
Offertory
We are here today observing and celebrating the Eighth Day of the Feast. Each and every Feast of the LORD has a unique prophetic meaning depicting an important step in the Plan of God. The Feast of the Last Great Day pictures the completion of the great harvest of lives, and the great judgment of all who have ever lived.
Leviticus 23:39 Also in the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when ye have gathered in the fruit of the land, ye shall keep a feast unto the LORD seven days: on the first day shall be a Sabbath, and on the eighth day shall be a Sabbath.
Leviticus 23:42 Ye shall dwell in booths seven days; all that are Israelites born shall dwell in booths:
We need not remain in booths on the on the eighth day. (Numbers 29:12, :35). This has prophetic significance to the Great Day of God!
In Genesis we find the creation of the 7-day week – but there is no mention of an eighth day to be kept.
Genesis 2:3 And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.
That seventh-day was the beginning of God’s spiritual creation for mankind. “Spiritual creation,” that is what “sanctified it” means.
Those seven days are the foundational outline for God’s seven-thousand Plan of God. Those seven days are of prophetic significance to the seven-thousand year Plan of God—leading to the Last Great Day.
I want to ask the question today, “How does an eighth day fit into the Plan of God?” “Eighth” has the connotation of a “new beginning,” like in a new week – or more importantly – some new beginning beyond the 7,000-year Plan of God!
We know that Jesus was not born anywhere near Christmas time. In fact, there is good Biblical evidence that Jesus was born the first day of the Feast of Tabernacles. That is not salvational doctrine, but the more we understand of the Scriptures, the more of Gods’ Truth becomes available to us.
Luke 2:4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
Bethlehem is very near to Jerusalem – practically a suburb of Jerusalem.
Luke 2:6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
Luke 2:7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
It was just like today – it is always difficult to get Feast of Tabernacles accommodations.
Luke 2:11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.
If Jesus were born on the first day of the Feast of Tabernacles, which I think, He would have tabernacled with His people in temporary quarters for seven days (in a manger or booth).
When we consider that Jesus [may have been] born on the first day of the Feast of Tabernacles – we realize that on this – The Last Great Day – He would be eight days old, and circumcised, a sign of entering the Covenant as a Man. Israelitish boys are circumcised on the eighth day.
Leviticus 12:3 And in the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised.
We find the importance of the eighth day with regard to the covenant relationship with God.
Genesis 17:7 And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.
Genesis 17:11 And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you.
Genesis 17:12 And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, who is not one of your descendants.
Leviticus 8 the ritual of consecrating the priesthood for service before God;
Brethren, this is about us because we have been consecrated for holy service to God. We have been dedicated to a higher purpose. There is so much more to our lives than it appears. The novices were sequestered for seven days and seven nights. Eating before the Lord:
Leviticus 8:31 And Moses said unto Aaron and to his sons, Boil the flesh at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: and there eat it with the bread that is in the basket of consecrations, as I commanded, saying, Aaron and his sons shall eat it.
Leviticus 8:33 And ye shall not go out of the door of the tabernacle of the congregation in seven days, until the days of your consecration be at an end: for seven days shall he consecrate you.
Leviticus 8:34 As he hath done this day, so the LORD hath commanded to do, to make an atonement for you.
Leviticus 8:35 Therefore shall ye abide at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation day and night seven days, and keep the charge of the LORD, that ye die not: for so I am commanded.
The priests represented the entire nation of Israel.
Leviticus 9:1 And it came to pass on the eighth day, that Moses called Aaron and his sons, and the elders of Israel;
Leviticus 9:4 … for today the LORD will appear unto you.
God was not spelling out that the LORD will appear unto you, as much to those in the Old Testament – as He is to us.
Ask yourself, what is it about the eighth day [Today] that has to do with the Appearance of the Lord?
Leviticus 9:22 And Aaron lifted up his hand toward the people, and blessed them,
Leviticus 9:23 And Moses and Aaron went into the tabernacle of the congregation, and came out, and blessed the people: and the glory of the LORD appeared unto all the people.
The eight day is a blessed day!
Leviticus 9:24 And there came a fire out from before the LORD, and consumed upon the altar the burnt offering and the fat [just like all the elements of the earth and heavens burnt up in Peter and Isaiah]: which when all the people saw, they shouted [for joy], and fell on their faces.
When we understand the meaning of this Great Day of God, we rejoice greatly! The Great Day of God is the Day of God the Father.
The Great Day of God is the fulfillment of the Feast of the Last Great Day when the Millennium will have come to an end and Jesus will have delivered up the Kingdom to His Father—after the seven-thousand years of Creation will have been fulfilled. But there is warning of Judgment on this Great White Throne Judgment Day.
Still on the 8th day… The burning up judgment is on the 8th day…
Leviticus 10:1 Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, …offered strange fire before the LORD, which He commanded them not.
Leviticus 10:2 And there went out fire from the LORD, and devoured Nadab and Abihu, and they died before the LORD.
The eighth day is Judgment Day – (Revelation 20:11-12) Great White Throne Judgment Day!
We see a very brief summation of what will take place in the Great White Throne Judgment:
John 5:29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.
And, again we see what will take place in the Great White Throne Judgment:
Matthew 25:46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
Luke 2:21 And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
Jesus Presented at the Temple. It is the eighth day. There is no longer a requirement to stay in booths – temporary dwellings.
Luke 2:22 And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished [7 days – Leviticus 12:2], they brought Him to Jerusalem, to present Him to the Lord;
Luke 2:23 (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;)
Luke 2:24 And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.
Luke 2:25 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
God was working in a special way through Simeon who was just and devout.
Luke 2:26 And it was revealed unto [Simeon] by the Holy Spirit, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah.
Luke 2:27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for Him after the custom of the law,
Luke 2:28 Then took Simeon Him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,
Brethren, take note that it was on the Eighth Day of the Feast – that is today, that Simeon prayed a prayer of blessing. Just as we saw with Moses and Aaron a few moments ago…
Luke 2:29 Lord, now let you, your servant, depart in peace, according to thy word:
Depart in peace means that it was the end of Simeon’s life – he had served God to the full.
Luke 2:30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
Luke 2:31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
All people—that is who will be there on the Last Great Day.
Luke 2:32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
Luke 2:33 And Joseph and [Jesus’] mother marveled at those things which were spoken of him. [Simeon offers a prophecy about Jesus:]
Luke 2:34 And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising [Great White Throne Judgement] again of many in Israel;
Luke 2:36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;
Luke 2:37 And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. [like the priests being consecrated]
Numbers 6: (The Lord bless you) Please turn with me – and follow along
We find here a specific, verbatim, Godly blessing – a blessing for the People of God.
Numbers 6:22 And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying,
Numbers 6:23 Speak unto Aaron and unto his sons, saying, On this wise ye shall bless the children of Israel, saying unto them,
Numbers 6:24 The LORD bless thee, and keep thee:
Numbers 6:25 The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:
Numbers 6:26 The LORD lift up His countenance and His face upon thee, and give thee peace.
Numbers 6:27 And they shall put my name upon the children of Israel; and I will bless them.
Special Offertory Music, “The LORD bless thee, and keep thee:”
Compare Sabbath Prayer:
Great Day of God
In today’s sermon we are exploring the Scriptures that describe the transitional period of God’s Plan between Jesus’ Millennial rule as King of kings, and the Great Day of God when God the Father will begin to rule for all eternity (Micah 4:7; Isaiah 9:7).
The world takes little or no notice of the differentiation between the Kingdom of God—ruled by Jesus Christ during the Millennium—and the Kingdom of God in the New Heavens and New Earth. That confusion arises first of all, because the world cares little about the Plan of God. And secondly, because sometimes prophetic writings are dual in nature. They apply equally to both the coming of Jesus Christ, and the time of the New Heavens and New Earth one-thousand years later—The Day of God.
Today, the Last Great Day, more than any other Feast Day, shows WHEN God the Father will rule His spiritual Family!
As we have completed the Feast of Tabernacles, it is easy to see how the Church of God has placed its focus mostly on the Millennial coming of Jesus Christ to this earth.
The Solemn Feast of the Last Great Day reveals that the ultimate Plan of God deserves our equal, if not greater attention. The Feast of Tabernacles is completed:
Nehemiah 8:18 Also day by day, from the first day unto the last day, he read in the book of the law of God. And they kept the feast seven days; and on the eighth day was a solemn assembly, according unto the manner.
On the eighth day, Israelites were released from the command to dwell in booths – their temporary dwellings. Because of the one-thousand-year Millennium, we have become accustomed to thinking about our existing on this earth forever and ever. That is not the case!
The ultimate Great Day of God will come about, not on this earth, but in the New Heaven and New Earth.
A spiritual New Heaven and New Earth – if we can believe it. John spoke of that Great Day, the Last Day of the Feast (John 7:37)… So I came up with the title, “Great Day of God.”
And Peter spoke of the realization of that day in the Day of God (2Peter 3:12).
The Millennium will begin very soon, but the Great Day of God is more than a thousand years hence. The Great Day of God’s spiritual new heaven and new earth will be established after the Great White Throne Judgment.
Revelation 20:5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished.
Revelation 21:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
At the conclusion of the 1,000-year Millennium there will be the Great White Throne Judgment. Today’s Feast pictures that time.
Once the dead, all who have ever lived, have been judged, every man according to their works, there will be no more need for the old physical earth—it will have passed away. (Revelation 21:1)
Then, the Great Day of God will be ushered in at the Last Great Day—and the time of the New Heavens and a New Earth will begin. Peter portrays that great and glorious day thus:
2Peter 3:12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the Day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
Such a small phrase – it can go almost un-noticed. Day of God – coincidently has – eight letters.
In verse ten, Peter says, “the elements shall melt with fervent heat.”
And then again is verse twelve Peter repeats the phrase, “the elements shall melt with fervent heat.”
Peter does not repeat the phrase, “the elements shall melt with fervent heat,” for emphasis (2Peter 3:10)!
Those two exact statements are separated by Peter with the most agonizing and touching Specific Purpose Statement or Question in the Bible…
2Peter 3:11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conduct and godliness?
Those two repetitive phrases are clearly set apart by when they will occur – The first (verse 10), at the end of the Tribulation and at the pre-millennial Day of the Lord,
And the second (verse 12), one thousand years later, just prior to the Great Day of God and the New Heavens and New Earth.
Nothing of this earth will exist any longer after verse 12. No Country clubs, Banks or Beauty Parlors. No Basilicas, Stone Cathedrals or WalMarts. The majestic mountain ranges, the immense plains, and the cities of every nation will depart.
The creation that we see about us has a transcendent spiritual future that will endure forever after this physical universe will have passed away. The only thing left a thousand years from now will be God’s Eternal Spiritual Creation.
Revelation 21:7 He that overcomes shall inherit all things [in the Universe]; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
That is when the Plan of God will have come to fruition! There will be a fearless New Universe – Pure and unmolested! No more fearful men.
Revelation 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, adulterers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have [had] their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
To Peter, this revelation of no more physical earth, is so stark and dire that he is compelled to declare that the all-consuming devastation will not eradicate God’s Covenant promise—despite the earth being melted by fervent heat.
Knowing that the Plan of God will definitely go on, Peter seems to wonder how and when God will work it all out – it seems to be taking so long!
But Peter says in faith:
2Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
2Peter 3:13 Nevertheless we, according to His Promise, look for New Heavens and a New Earth, wherein dwells righteousness.
What was God’s promise? It was the promise Jesus Christ made to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David and all the prophets. It is the promise of countless children to Abraham—as the stars of heaven, and as sand which is upon the seashore (Genesis 13:16; Genesis 15:5). And, Brethren, Eternal life is a great part of that promise!
Jesus spoke of the Great Day of God when those who never repented of their ways shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous Saints into life eternal. Jesus was speaking of the Great Clean-up operation of the Great White Throne Judgment:
Matthew 25:41 Then shall [Jesus] say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
Matthew 25:42 For I was an hungry, and ye gave me no food: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:
Matthew 25:43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
Matthew 25:46 And these shall go away into eternal punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
Jesus was also speaking of the Great Day of God in John 6:
John 6:39 And this is the Father’s will who has sent me, that of all which He has given me I should lose nothing, but should raise them up again at the LAST DAY. [the Saints first, and then all others on the Last Great Day.]
It is none other than the resurrected Saints, the Body of Christ, who are the fulfillment of the Plan of God. It was for that purpose—God reproducing Himself in His Children—that the heavens and earth were created. And, for this purpose—the expansion of the Family of God—that all will come under the purview of God the Father in the New Heavens and the New Earth where everything will be eternally all in all.
John 6:40 And this is the will of Him that sent me [God the Father], that everyone which sees the Son, and believes on Him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
This earth, that we now call home, was never meant to last all throughout eternity. It will last until it has served its purpose—bringing all mankind to the Great White Throne Judgment:
2Peter 3:7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire [just waiting to be burnt-up] against the day of judgment—[Great White Throne Judgment]—and perdition of ungodly men.
Those ungodly men will be in it when it is burned up!
2Peter 3:8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
Peter is telling us when the spiritual New Heaven and New Earth will appear. We saw earlier in Genesis that God’s Creation took place is seven days – and Peter tells us that a thousand years is as one day. The New Heaven and New Earth will appear at the end of 7,000-years, at the end of the Millennium.
Paul beautifully explained that the physical universe that we see about us was not created to last forever:
Romans 8:20 For the creation [of the entire universe] was made subject to vanity [transience, entropy – winding down into a state of disorganization] not willingly, but by reason of Him who has subjected the same in hope [of the resurrection to eternal life],
Romans 8:21 Because this creation itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the Children of God. [That delivery will take place at the glorious Great Day of God.]
Creation will finally be delivered from the bondage of corruption at the Great Day of God, the time when the New Heavens and New Earth are Created and established.
Prior to that time, everything [earth, heavens, sin, death, etc.] must be totally purged and purified in preparation for the transfer from the authority and rule of Jesus Christ to the Sovereign God the Father.
In a few minutes, we will see more about Christ transferring His authority to the Father in 1Corinthians 15:28.
Isaiah spoke specifically about the Great Day of God we are commemorating and looking forward to today. The handover from Jesus to God the Father cannot take place until after – even the memory of all sin and corruption has been extinguished forever. God said:
Isaiah 65:17 Behold, I create New Heavens and a New Earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.
The all-consuming inferno will take place at the beginning of the Great Day of God at the very end of the Millennium—ushering in the New Heaven and the New Earth.
Peter described how a fiery destruction and total annihilation of everything physical and mortal will be so great that the physical earth and stars will cease to exist.
Peter gives us one of the few views that we have of the transitional time between the Great White Throne Judgment and the New Heavens and a New Earth. Peter names this final obliteration of the physical universe, and its spiritual replacement the “Day of God.” (2Peter 3:12)
Judgment at the Great White Throne
Revelation 20:11 And I saw a Great White Throne, and He who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.
This physical earth and a myriad of stars will cease to exist.
Revelation 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
Revelation 20:13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
Revelation 20:14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. [eternal death]
Even that great enemy Death that entered the world because of sin will have been destroyed.
Revelation 20:15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
After 1,000 years of the wonderful rule of Jesus, and the earth having been advanced and cultivated into the veritable Garden of Eden. there will still be some recalcitrant, intractable and disobedient people who refuse to walk in God’s perfect way. At the last Great Day – they too will be forever purged from the earth.
Read all of Ezekiel 38, and 39 for the details of Gog and Magog. Gog and Magog are burnt up on the 8th day – so that all Holiness is assured
Revelation 20:7 And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,
Revelation 20:8 And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.
Revelation 20:9 And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.
Those who have not been yet tested by Satan, will be. Then Satan and his agents will be vanquished forever. Satan and the demons violated God’s perfect holiness – long ago.
Revelation 20:10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet were cast, and shall be tormented day and night forever and ever.
At the end of the Millennium, the Last Great Day, and Great White Throne Judgment, the immense multitude of converted humanity will not have to die. They will be like the Saints of the first resurrection— there will be no need to die anymore—death is swallowed up—they will be raised to incorruptible eternal life. Death is swallowed up in victory (1Corinthians 15:51-54).
1Corinthians 15:24 Then comes the end, when He [Jesus Christ] shall have delivered up the Kingdom to God, even the Father; when He, [Jesus Christ] shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.
1Corinthians 15:25 For He [Jesus Christ] must reign, till He [Jesus Christ] has put all enemies under His feet.
1Corinthians 15:26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.
1Corinthians 15:27 For He [God the Father] has put all things under His [Jesus Christ’s] feet (John 13:3). But when He says all things are put under Him, it is manifest that He [God the Father] is excepted, which did put all things under [Jesus Christ].
1Corinthians 15:28 And when all things shall be subdued unto Him [God the Father], then shall the Son also Himself be subject unto Him [God the Father] that put all things under Him, that God [the Father] may be all in all.
All in all, refers to the time when all things righteous will have come together within God’s sinless divine realm. When Jesus’ work of redemption and salvation has been completed, holiness will abound. Jesus will then relinquish all of His authority and rule to His Sovereign Father (1 Corinthians 15:24-28). We find the very nature of Jesus Christ revealed:
Though equal with God, Jesus makes Himself not only the lowest of the low, but subject to the Highest [God the Father] (John 5:18; 1Samuel 25:41; John 13:14; Ephesians 5:21).
During the course of sinful flesh, it was necessary that God the Father in His Holiest state be separate, and remain apart, from this sinful world and all that is in it. Jesus will turn-over everything to His Father. There will be the Eradication of all physical things.
In the Great White Throne Judgment period, God will raise up to physical life all who have ever lived and who were never called by God (John 6:44, 65).
After having had ample opportunity to follow the lead of God’s Holy Spirit (Romans 8:14; Joel 2:28-29; Isaiah 65:20), Jesus Christ will judge them (Ezekiel 37:1-14).
Until the Great Day of God, God the Father remains unapproachable, pending the time when all things will have been purified by fire, and the New Heavens and the New Earth have been established.
Then, and only then, when all sin, cruelty, iniquity, death, and the grave have been totally purged, and all godless authority and power have been vanquished, the Father’s residence will be opened:
Revelation 21:3 I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God.
This is the last phase of the Plan of God as it is revealed to us—and yet God’s Plan has no conclusion, it has no end. (Isaiah 9:7)
End: Great Day of God
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