GOD’S HOLY DAYS

GOD’S PLAN WAS EXPLAINED TO HUMANITY BY GOD’S HOLY DAYS: God gave mankind His Holy days to be a 'shadow' or picture of what would happen in the future. (Colossians 2:16,17) 

THE 7^th DAY OF THE WEEK IS GOD’S SABBATH:
The 6 days of the week represents 6000 years in God time.  6000 years of the struggle of humans to follow God's will while living in Satan’s world.

(II Peter 3:8). Do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord, one day is as 1000 years, and 1000 years as one day.   The 7^th “day” is a day of rest, this depicts the 1000 years of Christ’s Kingdom on earth.  Revelation 20:4.

(Genesis.2:2, 3) God blessed the 7^th day and sanctified it.  (Exodus 16: 4,5) God gave extra rations on the 6^th day so the people did not have to go out looking for food on the 7^th day. (Exodus 16:22-30) The people rested on the 7^th day.

(Hebrews. 4: 1 - 11). God promises those who believe it, that when Christ’s kingdom comes the earth will REST from its troubles.  When man ceases from deciding for himself what is right or wrong and allows God to show us by His Word, then war and all types of troubles cease.

(James 4:1) Where do wars come from?  From the desire of man to choose his own way, rather than follow God.

(2 Timothy 1:9) God calls us to choose His will, not our own will.

PASSOVER:

In the Old Testament God instructed His followers to select a lamb 'without blemish' to sacrifice to atone for the sins of the people, but it did not give them access to eternal life. (Exodus 12:3-14).  The lamb without blemish represented CHRIST and His sacrifice for us which would not happen for another 4000 years. (Revelation 5:6,12)

Because Adam and Eve chose to follow their own way, choosing to decide for themselves what is right or wrong rather than obeying God, they disqualified themselves from immortality.  The penalty for sin is eternal death.  Because of the actions of the first man on earth, all humanity was under the penalty of eternal death. (Romans 5:12, I Corinthians 15:20-22, I Corinthians 15:45).

Christ then had to become human (mortal) live without sin (total willing obediance to God) and He had to resist the devil as Adam and Eve had not done. (Genesis 3:1-13, 22-24,Luke 4:1-14, Phillipians 2:5-8).

When Christ resisted Satan he qualified as immortal King of the world.  Then because he was willing to become a sacrifice for the rest of mankind, His blood wiped out the penalty of eternal death which had been over humanity from the time of Adam and Eve. (Genesis 3:19-24, Hebrews 2:9-10,14,15, Hebrews 9:26).  

Christ became the “lamb without blemish sacrificed as a penalty for our sin”. Adam's sin brought eternal death to the world, Christ as the 'last Adam' paid the penalty for that sin and allowed humanity the chance for eternal life.  (I Corinthians 15:45-47, I Peter 1:18-20). 

Christ's sacrificial death to give humanity back the chance for immortality, was determined at the very beginning of creation.  Christ's death, which saved us with a holy calling not according to our works, but according to His own purpose which was given to us before the world began. (I Peter 1:19,20, II Timothy 1:9)

Those whose names are written in 'Book of Life' follow Christ who is called ”the lamb slain from the foundation of the earth” (Revelation 13:8).

Those who follow Christ, who is the firstborn of the dead, will be made kings in His Kingdom when He returns. (Revelation 1:5) When Christ becomes the ruler over the kings of the earth.

The wages or the end result of sin, is death for eternity, but the gift of God is Eternal Life through Christ. (Romans 6:23)

If God’s spirit dwells in you, He that raised Christ from the dead shall change your mortal bodies to immortal spirit when He returns.  (I Corinthians 15:51,52, I Thessalonians 4:16,17, Revelation 20:4, Romans 8:11)

(I Thessalonians 1:10) Wait for God’s son from heaven who delivers us from the wrath to come.  According as He has chosen us in Him, BEFORE the foundation of the world. (Ephesians 1:4)

 

With the precious blood of Christ as a lamb without blemish, who it was decided before the foundation of the world, appeared in these last times for you. (I Peter 1:18,19)

 

Christ the first to rise from the dead. (Acts 26:23) King David is not ascended to heaven, he is still lying in the dust of the earth awaiting his resurrection to eternal life (Acts 2:34)

Christ is the lord of the Sabbath day (Matthew 12:8) After 6000 years of hardship and turmoil on this earth, comes the 7th day, the Sabbath Rest for 1000 years which will happen when Christ returns to earth as KING. (Revelation 20:4,6, II Peter 3:8)

The wages (result) of sin is death for eternity.  Be a servant to sin and die or choose obediance to God and eternal life. (Romans 6:23)

FEAST OF UNLEAVENED BREAD: 

After the PASSOVER which represents Christs blood saving us from the death penalty of sin.  Can we continue to sin and allow Christ's sacrificial death to be nullified?  God gave specific instructions to the people who were to be the EXAMPLE to all the nations of the earth of the blessings of following God's laws.

Remember that to God 7 days represents completion of HIS PLAN (II Peter 3:8).  God instructed that after the PASSOVER, there would be a period of 7 days when NO LEAVENED bread is eaten. (Exodus 12:15-20, Exodus 34:18).

Those who have accepted the sacrifice of Christ for their sins, eat no leavened bread.  The leaven is the raising agent that “puffs up” bread, this signifies sin which puffs us up and makes us think we have as much right as God to choose what is right or wrong.  (I Corinthians 13:4) Charity is patient and kind, not 'puffed up'.

PENTECOST:

Pentecost is the “first fruits” or “first harvest” of God.  These are not only the Old Testament Patriarchs, disciples and others who followed God’s laws and died before Christ returns to earth but also those who are living flesh and blood at the time of His return.  These are the first humans to be made immortal, the “first born of God”.  (Leviticus 23:15-17).

Pentecost also pointed to the time after Christ died when God’s Holy Spirit was made available to mankind.  (I John 2:25) This is the promise to us, eternal life; The anointing which you have received (ie God’s Holy Spirit) abides in you and you have no need of any man to teach you.

Provided a person has and USES, The 'word of God' (The Holy Bible) and is led by God’s Holy Spirit, that person has no need of any other person to teach them about God.

[In the earliest civilizations of Mesopotamia, every village or community had one or more Priests to approach the gods on behalf of the people.  All matters relating to the gods had to be undertaken by the priests not by individuals. (it was considered dangerous for the uninitiated to approach the gods) Every intercession to the gods by the priests was accompanied by “donations” or even grants of land or service. This gave much power to the priests and the temple and ensured their continued prosperity.] 

Those who accept the sacrifice of Christ for their own sins, repent of their sins, are washed clean and as far as God is concerned they are 'reborn' and sinless.  God's spirit then enters that sinless person and we are able to approach God directly, and to be led by Him through His word the bible.  (see Atonement)

ATONEMENT:

At Atonement a “scapegoat” had the sins of the people laid upon it and it was released into the wilderness.  This scapegoat represents all humanity, we have been set free from our own sins because of the sacrifice of Christ.   

(Leviticus 16:2) The priest was not permitted to come any time he wanted behind the vail of the temple into the holy of holies. This depicts that mankind as a whole could NOT come before God any time we please.  It was necessary that a SACRIFICE be made, because the penalty of sin is death, there had to be a death.

On the day of Atonement, the priest would firstly make himself clean before God (Lev.16:34) Then he would choose 2 young goats without blemish and present them to God and cast LOTS for them. (Lev.16:2,7-10).  The kid on which the lot fell to be for the Lord was offered in sacrifice for sin and the blood brought WITHIN THE VAIL INTO THE HOLY PLACE. (Lev.16:15). Compare this with Hebrews 9:3,7,8,11-18. The Old Testament was with the blood of animals, but Christ is the mediator of the New Testament (Hebrews 9:11-15).

The goat or lamb without blemish which was sacrificed at Atonement, represents Christ.  This animal does not have sin, yet it is sacrificed and the blood used to atone for the penalty of sin.

The kid or lamb which had all the sins of the people put on it's head and was then led into the wilderness (Leviticus 16:21,22), represents OUR SINS being cast into the wilderness out of God's sight because of the blood of Christ (Hebrews 9:15-28, I Peter 1:18,19). Our eternal life was redeemed by the precious blood of Christ as a lamb without blemish.

Just as the vail of the temple tore in half at Christ's death, so the way into the Holy of Holies, before the throne of God, is available now to all who accept Christ's sacrifice.

The penalty of sin is death, in this case it is eternal death so we who are mortal and who will turn back to dust at the end of our earthly lives, now have the opportunity of choosing to follow God and become immortal souls. (Genesis 3:19,22-24, I Corinthians 15:20-23,45)

Worthy is the lamb that was slain, glory and honour to Him that sits on the throne (Revelation 5:12,13).

FEAST OF TRUMPETS

The “Day of the Lord” or “Lord’s Day” when Christ returns to earth in glory and power as King of the whole earth.  (I Corinthians 15:52) at the last trump the dead will rise.

Rev 19:11-16  I (John) saw heaven opened and a white horse and He that sat on him called Faithful and True, eyes of fire, blood on his clothes, His name is The Word of God.  The armies of heaven followed Him on white horses. Out of His mouth goes a sharp sword to smite the nations of the earth and rule them with a rod of iron. He is King of Kings, Lord of Lords.

Christ told His disciples to “teach all nations”about Christs coming Kingdom.  Matt 28:19

Go to all the world and preach the gospel to every creature Mark 16:15 (gospel means ‘good news’)

The Apostle Paul said the hope of the gospel was preached to every creature under heaven. Col.1:23.

Since the invention of the printing press the gospel (Holy Bible) has been available to the whole world.

 THE FEAST OF TABERNACLES    Represents the 1000 year Kingdom of God on earth. 

Satan will be banished from the earth for 1000 years and Christ will begin His 1000 year reign on earth (the “day” of God’s “rest”).

Rev 20:1-4   Satan is cast out of the earth for 1000 years, Christ and His saints will rule the earth.

I Cor 15:20 Christ the firstfruits of them that are dead v22 because of Adam we are not immortal, by Christ we can be immortal v23 Christ first, then those who are His, when He comes v24 Christ will rule.

Isa 65:21 They shall build houses, eat fruit of their vineyards, nothing shall be taken from them. They shall not  labour in vain, no trouble befalls them. The wolf and the lamb shall feed together v25, the lion shall eat straw like a bullock.

Isa.11:6 Wolf shall dwell with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the kid, and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together and a little child shall lead them.  The suckling child shall play on the hole of the asp (snake) and the weaned child shall put his hand on the scorpions den, they shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of God.

After 1000 years, the 100 years of ‘the rest of the dead’.

Rev 20:5 The rest of the dead (those who while they lived their mortal lives did not know or accept Christ and His sacrifice) did not live their mortal lives again until 1000 years are finished.

Isa 65:20 The child shall die 100 years old.  The sinner being 100 years old shall be accursed. (If after 100 years of being taught about God in Christ’s Kingdom, a person still chooses his own way, then no more hope is left for him to attain immortal life)

THE LAST GREAT DAY:

Represents the Great White Throne Judgement when every person who ever lived will be judged according to their works by the things which were written in the books. Revelation 20:11,12.

For the 1000 years of God's Kingdom on earth, all humanity living during that time will learn about God and His plan.  For 100 years after that all humans who have ever lived at any time will be resurrected to mortal beings and live on earth under Christ’s rule and learn about God. 

Then Satan will be released to poison the minds of men again on the earth.  Revelation 20:7,8. The result of Satan’s activity will be the final battle on earth when armies of rebellious nations will go to Jerusalem to make war against Christ. God will be the victor, the armies of men will die in their rebellion.   When all humanity stands before God in the Last Great Day, no one will be ignorant of God, we will all be judged for the informed and deliberate choice we made.

Rev 20: 11-15. And I (John) saw a great white throne and Him that sat on it from whose face the earth and heaven fled away and no place was found for them v12 I saw the dead small and great stand before God, the books were 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. Death and hell were cast into the lake of fire, whoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire this is the second [final] death.

LUCIFER.

In the beginning there were 3 archangels (covering cherubs, whose wings covered God’s throne) each of these archangels was in charge of 1/3 of the host of heaven.

Exodus 37:6-9.  Construction of the ark of the covenant with 2 angels whose wings stretched over the mercy seat.

Revelation 12:9.  So the great dragon was cast out that, that serpent of old, called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth and his angels were cast out with him.

Revelation 12:3-4.  Another sign appeared in heaven, behold a great fiery red dragon, having 7 heads and 10 horns and 7 diadems on his heads, his tail drew one third of the 'stars' (angels) of heaven and threw them to the earth.

Revelation 12:7.  War broke out in heaven, Michael and his angels fought with the dragon and the dragon and his angels fought but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer.

Isa 14:12, 13, 14 :   How you have fallen Lucifer, Son of the Morning, you who weaken the nations.  You said in your heart I will ascend to heaven and exalt myself above the other sons of God, I will be like God. You who made the earth tremble, that made the world a wilderness .

Ezek. 28:12 You seal up the sum of wisdom and perfect in beauty v13 You were in the garden of God v14 You are the anointed covering cherub, you were upon the holy mountain of God.

V15 You were perfect in all your ways until sin was found in you, you will be cast out of God’s holy mountain.  Your heart was puffed up with your beauty, you have corrupted your wisdom.

2 Tim. 2:26 Satan takes whomever he wants. 

ARMAGEDDON

The first battle is at CHRIST’S SECOND COMING:

Rev. 16: 16 and he gathered them together into a place called in Hebrew “Armageddon”. The 7^thangel poured out the vial into the air.

Zech 2:10, 11 Sing and rejoice for Lo I come said the Lord. Many nations shall be joined to the Lord in that day and shall be My people, I will dwell in the midst of you, you shall know the Lord of hosts has sent Me unto you.  The Lord shall dwell in Jerusalem.  

Zech.14: 1-4

Behold the Day of the Lord, I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle.  The city shall be taken, half the city taken into captivity.  (the Beast power).  Then the Lord shall go forth and fight against those nations, His feet shall stand on the Mt of Olives which shall split in two, a huge valley is formed.  The Lord and all His saints with Him shall come, it shall be neither day nor night.  Living waters shall flow from Jerusalem, the Lord shall be King over all the earth. Plague shall strike all those who fought against Jerusalem.v14 All the wealth of the heathen shall come to Jerusalem. V16 Everyone that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall go up from year to year to worship the King, Lord of Hosts and to keep the Feast of Tabernacles. V17 No rain shall fall on the nations of the earth which refuse to come up. Also plague shall strike the heathen of all nations who refuse to come up to keep the feast of Tabernacles.

Joel 3:2 I will also gather all nations and will bring them down into the Valley of Jehosophat and will plead with them there for my people and for my inheritance Israel whom they have scatted throughout the nations.

Ezek. 39: 11 Gog will be given a grave in Israel. v12 and seven months shall the nations of Israel be burying the dead from the battle.

Joel 2: 28 and it shall come to pass afterwards that I will pour out my spirit on all flesh and your old men will dream dreams and your young men will see visions (2000 YEARS GOES BY) v30.BEFORE THE GREAT AND TERRIBLE DAY OF THE LORD.

At the end of Christ’s Kingdom on earth, Satan is loosed and a thought comes into the minds of certain nations.

Joel 3:9 Proclaim this among the gentiles prepare war and wake up the warriors. Beat your plows into swords.  Let the weak say I am strong, assemble yourselves and come all you heathen.

Ezek. 38:8 You (Gog) shall be visited in the latter years you shall come into the land that was brought back from the sword and is gathered out of many peoples.  V10 It shall come to pass things shall come into your mind and you shall think an evil thought, to go up to the land of unwalled villages, to them that are at rest that dwell safely, to take their possessions. V16 in the latter days you shall come.  

Rev. 20:7, 8 When the 1000 years are expired Satan shall be loosed out of his prison and shall go out to deceive the nations of the earth.  Gog and Magog to gather them together to battle. V9 they surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved City (Jerusalem).  Fire came from heaven and devoured them.