LAST GREAT DAY - 2001

Fred Coulter - October 9, 2001

And greetings, brethren. This is the Last Great Day, the year 2001. And this day, one of the most neglected of all, as far as the religions of the world are concerned, and even in Judaism, this is the day that is so important. And this day is called the Last Great Day, as we will see, for a very important and profound reason.

Now let’s come back to Leviticus 23 because all the holy days that we do, they’re all listed here in the book of Leviticus 23. So let’s go back there and let’s review that again, and let’s understand, today, the meaning of this day. And brethren, we’re going to see that this is knowledge and information that God has given us contained in His word that the rest of the world does not even understand. To use a modern vernacular, they don’t have a clue.

Now let’s come here to Leviticus 23:34. Now we’ll just review a little bit concerning the Feast of Tabernacles because these run together. Now remember as we saw, the holy day season in the spring starts out with one day, the Passover, and then seven days of Unleavened Bread. And then we have seven weeks from the wave sheaf offering plus one day till we come to Pentecost. And then the first day of the seventh month we have Trumpets. Tenth day of the seventh month we have Atonement. Fifteenth day of the seventh month we have the first day of the Feast of Tabernacles, a holy day. And then on the 22^nd we have the Last Great Day.

Let’s pick it up here in verse 34. “Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, The fifteenth day of this seventh month shall be the feast of tabernacles for seven days unto the LORD. On the first day shall be an holy convocation [we’ve already had that]: ye shall do no servile work therein. Seven days ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD: on the eighth day shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD: it is a solemn assembly; and ye shall do no servile work therein” (Lev. 23:34-36).

Now let’s come over here to verse 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.” So today being a Sabbath is a holy day. And of course this being the last gathering, the last harvest, this is the last and the greatest harvest of God. And so the children of Israel would bring a big offering unto God. And as we saw, every day during the Feast of Tabernacles there were special offerings that were offered. And I’m not going to go through any other scriptures concerning taking up an offering. We all know them. You’re all familiar with them. And what you do, do before God with your heart and consider the things that God has blessed you with and give your offering accordingly. So we’ll pause right now and take up the offering.

(Pause)

Just as the Feast of Tabernacles had a beginning and ending, the Last Great Day has a beginning and ending. And it’s true, even in numbers and also the musical scale, eight is a new beginning. Just like when you sing the scale - do, re, me, fa, so, la, ti. Seven is complete but it is not completion. So it has to be do, re, me, fa, so, la, ti, do. So you have a new beginning with the new number one. So number one, seven plus one, and that’s what we have with the Last Great Day. And we will see the importance of this day and the tremendous blessing that God gives on this day, and how and why it’s going to be the biggest harvest. But you see because people do not understand the Bible, even though they use the Bible, like one man said who looked at all the religions, and all the religions say, “You must be saved today or you’re going to hell and burn forever.” Because they don’t know their Bibles they don’t even know about the first resurrection, let alone as we will see, the second resurrection. So a lot of people get angry and mad at the religionists and say, “Well, you know, I don’t like your religion. I don’t like the way you save people. And furthermore I hold God responsible for all the accidents, all the deaths, all the innocent people that are killed. Why did God kill all the people with the flood in the days of Noah? And why does God allow war and all the people to die and the innocent civilians to die? Why does God allow massacres and holocausts and the killing of people? Why does God allow accidents? Why do ships sink and airplanes crash and cars crash and people are kidnapped and people are murdered and disease and all of these things that come along? And earthquakes and famines and pestilence? All of these things I hold God responsible for because He’s killing millions of billions of people. And what is God going to do about it?”

Well you see the truth is this day is the answer to that. And the reason that a lot of people take that attitude is because they have heard the scripture that, “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes on Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). And they say, “Well look, before Christ are all these people lost?” And so they say, “No, they had their chance and they’re all going to heaven.” The Catholics say, “Now wait a minute. There are some people who shouldn’t go to heaven. So we’ve got it figured out that we have a purgatory. And that’s kind of a not quite as hot as hell burning, but just enough to kind of purge your sins. And if those who are still living say enough masses, well then we can get you out of purgatory.” The Hindus say, “Well, it’s the reincarnation and the transmigration of souls.” And so everyone has an explanation but none of it is true.

Now if God loves the world, which He does, why is He not saving the world today, which He’s not? And what is He going to do about it? Let’s look at a couple of other scriptures here. Let’s come to 2 Peter 3:9. And here this is quite a scripture that people will turn to even to use against God. Now let’s look at it. “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” Now if that is true, which it is, how is God going to do that? Especially since it is God Who grants repentance. Now what about those to whom He didn’t grant repentance? Is God then a respecter of persons? Is God just choosing a few people here and a few people there and all the rest are doomed to hell like the Protestants say? If that’s the case then let’s turn to Romans 2:11. If that is the case and God is only saving just a few people today and He isn’t going to save all the rest of them, then God has either got to be a liar or a respecter of persons. So therefore the Bible cannot be true because if God lies and God respects persons then how can He be God. Verse 11, “For there is no respect of persons with God.”

Now let’s look at another scripture here. Let’s come to 1 Timothy 2:3, and let’s see another one that is sort of contradictory to some other scriptures we’ll read here in just a minute. And he says, “For this is good and acceptable [that you pray, that we live a good and peaceable life] in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved…” Now that’s God’s desire. That is God’s will. “…All men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth” (1 Tim. 2:3-4). Now why isn’t that happening today? Well the answer is, from the sin of Adam and Eve this world has been shut up unto the way of God. That’s part of the penalty of it. So let’s look at a couple of other scriptures here and let’s see what it says. Let’s see how these scriptures, just on the surface of it, contradict the ones that we just read. Let’s come to Matthew 15. And God is responsible for doing this. So the man who is angry at God, even though he is angry at God, he’s angry at God without knowledge, but he is correct in one thing. God is responsible and God will take care of it.

Now Matthew 15:12. “Then came His disciples, and said unto Him, Knowest Thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying? But He answered and said, Every plant, which My heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch” (Matt. 15:12-14). Now, how can that square up with wanting all men to come to repentance and the knowledge of the truth and to be saved? It doesn’t seem to, does it? Let’s look at another one.

Let’s come here to John 12 and we will see that God is the one Who is responsible for it. Now how can God want everyone saved and yet blind people? Let’s read it. John 12:37, “But though He had done so many miracles before them [or that is, in their presence], yet they believed not on Him: that the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? And to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed? Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again, He [that is, God] hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them” (John 12:37-40). Now if God wants everybody converted why did He say this, and why did He do this? Does this conflict with the truth of God that He wants them all saved? Ok, let’s look at another scripture.

Since Satan has been turned loose on this world, let’s just repeat one we looked at yesterday. Let’s come to 2 Corinthians 4 and let’s see something that Satan is doing. Not only does God let them blind themselves but He also has Satan there who is to blind them. Now 2 Corinthians 4:3, “But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost.” Now what do you mean lost? If God wants them all saved how come they’re lost? Now are they all permanently lost? Well we’ll see.

Now let’s read verse 4. “In whom the god of this world (which is Satan the devil) hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, Who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” Well now, doesn’t God want it to come to that? Why has He done this? How is He going to solve this problem. Ok, let’s look at another scripture.

Let’s come over here to Galatians 3:22, just a few pages over, and let’s see what else God has done. And this He even did to Israel. Now mind you, the people that God called and chose and made a covenant with at Sinai. Now notice what it says that He did. Verse 22, “But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, [all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.]…” Now notice, “…that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.” Now what’s going to happen to those that believe not? What about them? Since God didn’t call them, God didn’t open their minds, God did not give them a heart to believe, but blinded them. What’s going to happen to them?

All right let’s come to Romans 11, let’s see another scripture here concerning blindness and being cut off from God. Very important that we understand that God has done this. Now let’s pick it up in verse 25. “For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.” Then he says verse 26, “And so all Israel shall be saved…” Now this is the dilemma that the religions of the world cannot answer, simply because they do not know the truth as revealed in the Last Great Day. And there’s another very profound and important scriptural principle: you understand as you obey. See the scripture says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and a good understanding have they who do His commandments.” So those who do not fear God and want to set up their own religion, and who do not keep His commandments, they don’t have understanding. So therefore they have to come up with all these lying substitutes.

Now, let’s go to one more scripture. Let’s come to Ephesians 4. Now here’s quite a scripture here. Now these are the problems that we see in the world, aren’t they? Yes they are. Now verse 17, “This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind…”, and God has just given people over to vanity. It says there in Romans 8 that God gave them over to being subject to vanity, but not willingly but by reason of Him who subjected them in hope. Now how’s there going to be hope for them. All right, we’ll see. Verse 18, “Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: who being past feeling have given themselves over unto [licentiousness] lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness” (Eph. 4:17-19). Well, that’s the state of the world.

Now let’s look at one more scripture. Let’s come to 1 John 5. Now we also know, as we put it together, we also know that God has allowed Satan the devil to deceive the whole world. Now here, 1 John 5:19. “And we know that we are of God…” Now is that not a respecter of persons, kind of separated out? Yes it is, but no it isn’t. Because you have to understand the whole Bible. Now notice the next sentence. “…And the whole world lieth in wickedness.” Now how is God going to solve this problem?

This is quite a thing. We’ve already seen that unless God does it, He’s a respecter of persons. And the New Testament shows that God is not a respecter of persons. Now let’s go to Luke 13 and let’s see what Christ says concerning repentance and respecter of persons. Now remember, as we saw when we went through John 8, that Jesus told the Jews, “Do not say we are Abraham’s seed.” See, because if God just chose the descendents of Abraham by physical lineage alone and nobody else, then God would be a respecter of persons. So He said don’t think that. Now also, if God just reaches out and calls the people that He’s calling today, and that’s all He’s going to do, then God indeed is a respecter of persons. So the Jews thought that since they were Abraham’s seed, that they had special blessings. But Jesus made it clear that no, things happen. And so for those who are self-righteously thinking that the sinners among them are condemned because of their sins, Jesus gave this information to them, Luke 13:1.

“There were present at that season some that told Him of the Galileans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.” Boy, I tell you, that’s something. “And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galileans were sinners above all the Galileans…” Now they came to make sacrifices, correct? Yes. They came trying to obey God, didn’t they? Yes. But they were killed and their blood was mingled with the sacrifices and thrown on the altar. Do you think they “…were sinners above all Galileans because they suffered such things? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish” (Luke 13:1-5). So God is showing here that horrible things happen to people and God has allowed it to happen. And the reason He’s allowed it to happen is because He has a way out. Remember Jesus told the disciples on the Passover night, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. And none come unto the Father except through Me.” Now we’re going to see: how is God going to apply it to all of these people? How’s that going to be done?

Ok, let’s first of all understand something very important here. There is a book of life. Now, our names are written in the book of life now. That we know. Let’s come to Revelation 13 and let’s see about our names being written in the book of life. And we know that that book is before God and there is a distinction. Now here at the end-time in Revelation 13 when the Beast power comes on the scene, there is again another distinct separation.

Now let’s see it. And the beast, verse 7, it says, “And it was given unto him to make war with the saints…” Now there’s going to be persecution against the saints. “… And to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world” (Rev. 13:7-8). So there is a book of life. Even Moses when he was bargaining with God, when God said “Leave Me alone and let Me exterminate all the Israelites because of the sin that they sin.” And Moses said, “You are a gracious God. Now God, if You won’t spare them then blot my name out of the book of life.” And He [God] said, “That’s My business, Moses. I’ll put in there whom I want to put in there, but I will spare them.” So there is the book of life.

Let’s come back to Malachi 3 and let’s see that God is doing something with that book of life. He is making notes. He is taking down things for a future reference. He is taking down things, and we know we’re going to be in the first resurrection if we are faithful, right? Now, He’s writing certain things here, so let’s see it. Verse 16. “Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for them…” Now this is the book of life. That’s the book of remembrance. Now we know that the book of life for us spiritually, that we are there. Now let’s continue and finish this here. “…For them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon His name. And they shall be Mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up My jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.” And then it says, “Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth Him not” (Mal. 3:16-18). So God is making note and He’s making a crown. Now the apostle Paul said that he had run the race, he finished the course, and there was laid up for him a crown of righteousness, that’s what it’s talking about here in Malachi 3, which he was going to receive and also all those that loved God. So that’s quite a thing. We understand that.

Now let’s look at a couple of other scriptures which are important. Let’s come to John 5. John 5 Jesus makes some very profound statements, and it has to do with the state of the dead. And let’s pick it up here in verse 24. “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth My word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.” But look at the multitudes that didn’t believe on Him, even in Jesus day and coming clear on down to our time, in spite of the thousands of denominations that we have in the world that profess Christianity.

Ok, let’s continue on, verse 25. Here’s a very important verse, profound in fact. “Verily, verily [or that is, Truly, truly,], I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. For as the Father hath life in Himself; so hath He given to the Son to have life in Himself; and hath given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of man. Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in which all…”, that means everybody. That means those in the first resurrection. And we will see that there is a second resurrection. We’ll see that when we get to the book of Revelation, chapter 20. “…All that are in the graves shall hear His voice, 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 [judgment]” (John 5:24-29). Now how’s that going to happen?

All right, let’s again come to 1 Corinthians 15 and we will see that all the dead are going to be made alive in Christ. Now that means all saints and all sinners. Verse 20, “But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that [sleep] 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.” Now here’s a key verse. “But every man in his own order…” So there is an order to those who will be resurrected. We know we will be in the first resurrection, and all of those who are faithful. Notice, “…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…” So here is a projection which we will read about later in Revelation 21 and 22. “…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” (1 Cor. 15:20-26).

Now let’s see how this is going to be done. Let’s come to Revelation 20. Now during the feast we’ve come back here several times and so let’s come back here again, because this is part of preaching the word of God in season and out of season. Now let’s pick it up here in verse 4. Again, we have to go back to the beginning of the Millennium, come to the end of the Millennium, and it’s all contained here in just a few verses and then there are many other scriptures that we have to put together to give us the understanding of it.

Verse 4, “And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.” Now notice verse 5. “But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection…” And always remember this, when it says “the first resurrection”, that means there has to be another resurrection, doesn’t it? Otherwise it would say “the resurrection”. “…On such the second death hath no power…” (Rev. 20:4-6). Now what does this also tell us? That the rest of the dead who are raised in what is the second resurrection, the second death can have power on them.

Now this tells us two things which we we’ll prove from some other scriptures in just a bit. Number one, they are raised back to a physical life. Because if they die the second death, that means they have to be physical human beings subject to death. Ok, let’s read on. “…On such the second death hath no power…”, that is those in the first resurrection, so therefore the rest of the dead, the second death can have power on them.

Now, who qualifies for this second resurrection? Let’s understand something here very important. Let’s come back to Romans 2. Not only is there the book of life for the first resurrection, but there also has to be a record for every human being, doesn’t there? If they’re all going to be raised and hear the voice of Christ, doesn’t there have to be an accounting for everyone? Well, surely there is. Jesus said that even a sparrow does not fall that the Father doesn’t know it. And even the hairs on your head are numbered. Now let’s look at something here and let’s come to Romans 2:14 because this tells us something very important. This shows us those people who will be in the second resurrection and come to a second physical life.

Now let’s read it, verse 14, “For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another…” So there are Gentiles out there, these are people in the world now. Let’s just say, people in the world that God has not called. They’re out there, they are living their lives. Even though they’re blinded, even though they are cut off from God, they are sincere people. Many of them in the society are what you would call “good people”, but God hasn’t called them. God has not given them repentance, and they are living their lives out there trying to do the best they can. And they understand some of the laws of God but they don’t understand others of the laws of God. But they have not sinned the unpardonable sin. Now these are the ones who will be in the second resurrection. Now we need to understand that and see that there is a fore type of this.

Now let’s come to John 11. Let’s review just a little bit about Lazarus. Now Lazarus was raised from the dead, wasn’t he? Yes. He died. Raised back to a second physical life. When he died, was he a decent, honest person, though sinner? Yes. Because all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. But he died not having an opportunity for salvation. Isn’t that right? And that’s why they were all so worried. And the sister said, “If You’d been here Lord he wouldn’t have died.” And Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. And He that believes on Me though he were dead, yet he shall live.” Now Lazarus believed on Him, but he hadn’t received the Holy Spirit because the Holy Spirit was not yet given. So if he died without receiving the Holy Spirit he couldn’t be in the first resurrection, and also he would have lost an opportunity for salvation to be in the first resurrection. So that’s why he was resurrected. So Jesus resurrected him back to life.

Let’s look at this. Let’s come here to verse 39. They came up to the grave and everyone was crying and weeping and wailing and even Jesus wept. “Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto Him, Lord, by this time he stinketh…” Well now, a lot of people being in the grave, they just don’t even exist anymore as a person, let alone have a corpse that stinks. See, because Lazarus was in there for four days. “Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God? Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up His eyes, and said, Father, I thank Thee that Thou hast heard Me. And I knew that Thou hearest Me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that Thou hast sent Me. And when He thus had spoken, He cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth” (John 11:39-43). Is that the voice of the Son of man? Yes. Did Lazarus hear it? Yes. Did he come back to life and walk out of the tomb? Yes. This is a type of a person who is going to receive salvation. But in order to receive it, had to live two physical lives because he died once.

Now we have the same thing again. Let’s come here to Matthew 27. And here are lot of people that believed in Jesus but didn’t have an opportunity to receive the Holy Spirit because they died. Let’s pick it up here in verse 51. Here is another type of the second resurrection. By meaning that, they were resurrected back to a physical life. And the second resurrection is going to be a second physical life for a first opportunity for salvation, which is what happened to these people as well as to Lazarus.

“And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent [or that is, cracked open]; and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, and came out of the graves after His resurrection [so this didn’t take place until the wave sheaf offering day], and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many” (Matt. 27:51-53). Now you talk about a startling event. That was a startling event. Ok, so they came back. That’s a type of the second resurrection.

Now let’s come to Ezekiel 37 and let’s see something very important where it tells us about Israel. See, most people believe erroneously that God gave the children of Israel salvation through law. That was a dispensation of law. But then they’re also stuck with another contradiction because the New Testament says that by law no flesh will be saved. So how could they have received salvation back then by one means, and now we receive it by another means. See, they had salvation, supposedly without Christ through law. Now even the Jews today don’t believe in the resurrection. They believe that all good people go to heaven. And if you have more good works than you do bad works you’re going to be in heaven. Now that’s not much different than the Catholics, is it? And it’s just a little different than the Protestants. The Protestants say you have to believe now or you’re going to burn in hell forever. So actually the Protestants are even more unmerciful than the Jews and the Catholics, and the other religions that have the reincarnation and transmigration of souls. So we’ll come to Ezekiel 37 here in just a bit and let’s examine that and see what the word of God tells us.

Now let’s remember a couple of things. Jesus said all that are in the grave shall hear His voice and come forth. Some unto a resurrection of life and some unto a resurrection of condemnation or judgment. Now we’ve seen the resurrection of life. We’ll see the second part of it. Number one is the first resurrection unto eternal life, of which the second death has no power. The other one is the second resurrection, which is a resurrection to physical life because they did not have an opportunity for salvation - God did not call them. So God, being not a respecter of persons now has the second resurrection, as pictured by the Last Great Day, when they will be resurrected. And as we saw yesterday in Isaiah 65, the same thing applies to them that they will live for about 100 years for an opportunity for salvation.

Now, Ezekiel 37 makes this very clear. Now let’s begin here in verse 1. “The hand of the LORD was upon me, and carried me out in the spirit of the LORD, and set me down in the midst of the valley which was full of bones, and caused me to pass by them round about: and, behold, there were very many in the open valley; and, lo, they were very dry” (Ezek. 37:1-2). Symbolic of being dead for a long time.