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The 8TH Day
Christ will reign on the earth.
The “rest of the dead” will live again.
and a thousand years as one day” (2Peter 3:8).
Compiled by Rachel Cory-Kuehl, July 2012
Last edit: February 12, 2023
Scripture is from the NKJV unless otherwise noted
At the Glorious Return:
Israel Redeemed will go with Christ to the New Jerusalem, in Heaven.
They will prepare to serve as priests and kings (Revelation 20:6).
The Wicked will be raised to face judgment (Daniel 12:2-3).
They will be consumed by the glory of the LORD, or left to die in the last plagues. The Beast and the False Prophet will be thrown into the Lake of Fire (Rev. 19:20).
The Rest of the Dead will not be resurrected.
They will not be resurrected or judged at the return of Christ.
They “will not live again” until 1000 more years have passed (Rev 20:5).
The earth will be rendered desolate and lifeless by the last plagues.
It will rest in desolation during the sabbath (7th) millennium (Lev 26:34-35).
The events of The 8th Day CANNOT take place during the 7th millennium because: 1. The earth will be left without inhabitants after the 7 wrath plagues.
2. The “rest of the dead” will not “live again” until the 8th millennium.
3. The priests will not be ready (fully consecrated) until The 8th Day.
CONTENTS
How I came to Believe It . . . pg3
The 8th Day in the Torah - an Amazing Prophecy . . . pg5
Events of the 8th Day - Summary List . . . pg7
Return to The Land . . . pg8
Gentiles - Nations - Foreigners - Aliens - Strangers - Peoples . . . pg9
Isaiah - Prophecies of Return . . . pg10
Jeremiah - Prophecies of Return . . . pg11
Ezekiel - Prophecies of Return . . . pg14
Zechariah - Prophecies of Return . . . pg16
The Temple of the LORD - Restored . . . pg17
Size Matters . . . pg17
Ezekiel’s Temple - Another Temporary House . . . pg20
Circumcised - In Heart and In Flesh . . . pg20
The Healing Stream and The Last Great Resurrection . . . pg21
The Rest of the Dead - Raised to Life . . . pg22
Priest and King - Messiah Reigns . . . pg22
We will Reign with Him - as Priests and Kings . . . pg23
Structure of Government . . . pg24
After the Return - His Plan for the Nations . . . pg25
Many from the Nations - will come to know The LORD . . . pg27
Evil Neighbors - also Returned to their Lands . . . pg28
The Mixed Multitude - A Prophecy . . . pg29
Study Summary . . . pg31
HOW I CAME TO BELIEVE IT
I was raised believing that death is an unconscious sleep, and the final end of the wicked is death, not eternal conscious torment. I just had to verify those things for myself, through some Scripture study. See our studies: “Where are the Dead?” and “Hell - What it’s NOT.”
I wondered for many years, what would happen to all those who died as young children, or died before missionaries could reach them. Believing they would be collateral damage, and left out because of circumstances (not because of their own freewill choices) just didn’t satisfy. The idea troubled me.
I was very interested in prophecy, and read the books of Daniel and Revelation over and over. I didn’t know what to make of Revelation 20:6, that all those raised in the “first resurrection” would become “priests.” Why would the LORD still need “priests,” after the Glorious Return, after everyone is saved?
I noticed that Revelation 20:5, (“The rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished.”) immediately precedes 20:6, (Those from the first resurrection will “be priests of God and of Christ.”). I wondered if those resurrected “first,” will be priests for those resurrected “second.” I began to study into the role of the ancient priesthood. Those ancient priests of Israel taught the Law, and were the judges of last resort. They did not just offer sacrifices. That fit with “ruling the nations” under Christ. I also learned that the consecration of priests took 7 days. They did not begin to minister as priests, until the 8th day.
See our study: “A Kingdom of Priests.”
My new understanding of the redeemed as “priests,” led to a lot of debate and criticism from Hebrew Roots and Messianic Jewish believers. And that led me to write the study: “The Change of the Priesthood,” which further solidified my belief concerning the future priesthood of all those in Christ.
About this time, I read a book titled “Grafted In.” That book explained that all believers are “grafted in” TO Israel, through faith in Yeshua as Messiah. That new insight changed my understanding of many prophecies completely.
See our study: “Who are Israel?”
I studied the trumpets judgments, and the last bowl plagues. It became obvious to me, that no one could “survive” those plagues, unless removed from this planet to a place of safety. I now believe this earth will remain uninhabited for a good part, if not all, of the 7th millennium.
See our study: “Millennium.”
Both the redeemed and the wicked, will be raised from the dust at the Glorious Return of Christ (Dan 12:1-3). The knowingly and persistently rebellious will be resurrected to face judgment and then death. Their punishment is “eternal” because they will never be resurrected to live again. Why resurrect them again, to judge them again, to execute them again at the 8th millennium? That would serve no purpose.
See our study: “Judgment Day.”
A rather obvious question then concerned the Battle of Gog/Magog, which will obviously take place during the 8th millennium, after Satan is released from the abyss to “deceive the nations” (Rev 20:7-9). Who are “the nations” of people in the prophecy of Revelation, if they are NOT all of the wicked from Adam to the Second Coming? That question led me to my present understanding of “the rest.”
The “rest” are NOT resurrected or judged at the Glorious Return. Why? Answer: Because they were NOT knowingly rebellious. They never heard the truths of Yahweh, or the Gospel of Christ Jesus. They did not knowingly reject the LORD during their lifetimes. Their sins were those of ignorance. “The rest” will be raised at the 8th millennium, to continue their lives, so they can HEAR the truths of God and then CHOOSE whom they will serve.
I understood that the ancient Tabernacle, the priesthood, the ceremonies and the appointed Feasts, were ALL acted prophecy. They told the story of Christ - of what He would do to reconcile the willing back to the Father. What astonished me, was how many times the number eight appears in the Torah - in all those commands to Israel. It’s all over the place! It was not a stretch, to think the 8th “day” of those prophecies, could represent the 8th millennium (2Peter 3:8). See our study: “An Ancient Prophecy.”
You’ve got a lot of guts - or curiosity, or just hunger to know, to get this far. If you skipped some of the studies leading up to this one, you might not understand how I came to believe in The 8th Day. Rachel
THE 8TH DAY in the TORAH
- an amazing PROPHECY
PROPHECY: The firstborn were presented to the LORD - on the 8th day (Exo 22:30).
Israel is the LORD’s firstborn (Exo 4:22).
FULFILLMENT: Christ will present Israel redeemed to His Father (1Cor 15:24)
- at the 8th millennium.
PROPHECY: Every Israelite male was circumcised - on the 8th day (Lev 12:3, Gen 17:12).
FULFILLMENT: All of Israel redeemed will be perfectly circumcised in heart (Rom 2:29)
at the 8th millennium.
PROPHECY: All who had touched death,
and were cleansed by the ashes of the red heifer(Num 19:11-20)
were declared clean - at the 8th day.
FULFILLMENT: We have all touched death. Believers are cleansed by the death of Christ,
and will be declared fully clean - at the 8th millennium.
PROPHECY: Healed lepers were anointed and then declared clean - on the 8th day. FULFILLMENT: We who are lepers (because of our sins) (Lev 14:10-32),
are anointed with His blood and His spirit.
All of Israel redeemed will be fully and finally clean - at the 8th millennium.
PROPHECY: Priests were consecrated for 7 days (Lev Cpt 8, Exo 29:35).
They began to serve on the 8th day.
FULFILLMENT: We will be “priests of God and of Christ” (Revelation 20:6).
We will be ready to serve - at the 8th millennium.
PROPHECY: The same anointing was applied to both lepers and priests.
FULFILLMENT: We who are spiritual lepers because of our sin -
will become priests - at the 8th millennium.
PROPHECY: The Tabernacle and later the Temple, were consecrated/cleansed for 7 days.
Solomon’s Temple took 7 years to build.
Each was declared clean and ready for service - on the 8th day
(Exo 29:37, Lev 9:1&23, 2Chron 7:9, 2Chron 5:14, 2Chron 7:1-3, 1Ki 6:38).
Both times, the GLORY of the LORD appeared on the 8th day (Lev Cpt 9, 1Ki 8:10-11).
FULFILLMENT: Ezekiel’s Temple will be ready for service - at the 8th millennium.
FULFILLMENT: The LORD’s people are His Temple (1Cor 3:16, 2Cor 6:16).
All of Israel redeemed, will be glorified and filled with His Spirit (Ezek 36:24-27)
- at the 8th millennium.
TYPE: Nadab and Abihu (consecrated priests of Yahweh) “offered strange fire”
and were consumed by the “fire” of God - on the 8th day (Lev. Cpt 10).
FULFILLMENT: Satan the “anointed covering cherub,”
will be consumed by fire - at the 8th millennium (Rev 20:7-10).
TYPE: David was the 8th son of Jesse (1Sam 16:10). He ruled over Judah for 7 years and 6 months (2Kings 2:11). David became king over united Israel - in the 8th year.
FULFILLMENT: Jesus Christ will become king over united Israel/Judah -
in the 8th millennium.
PROPHECY: Eat the “bread of affliction” for 7 days to remember the days of slavery,
and dwell in “sukka” for 7 days, to remember the years of wandering
(Deut 16:3) Lev 23:42-43).
FULFILLMENT: Seven thousand years of suffering.
PROPHECY: The Feast of the 8th Day (Num 29:35). No more temporary “sukka.” FULFILLMENT: At the 8th millennium, we will be HOME.
NATURE itself proclaims The 8th Day.
The last note of a musical scale, is the 8th note.
It is also the first note of the next scale.
The 8th millennium will see the last of sin, and the start of eternity.
There are just too many 8s to ignore!
The prophecies are one!
I believe it is time we seriously consider the prophecy of The 8th Day.
EVENTS OF THE 8TH DAY
1. Israel Redeemed will be returned to “the land.”
They will rebuild and restore.
2. The House of the LORD will be restored on Mount Zion.
A healing river will flow out from that Temple.
3. The rest of the dead” will be raised to live again (Rev 20:5).
They were not resurrected at the Glorious Return.
4. Messiah will reign on David’s throne at Jerusalem.
He will be both king and high priest.
5. Israel redeemed will serve as “priests and kings on the earth.”
They will govern “the rest of the dead.” They will teach the “the ways of the LORD.”
6. Many from the nations will come to know the LORD.
Many will go up to the House of the LORD, to learn “His ways.”
They will be welcomed into the family of God.
7. Gog of Magog will lead a rebellion to overthrow the reign of Christ.
Fire from God out of Heaven, will consume his army when they attack Jerusalem.
Satan and his angels of rebellion, will be cast into the Lake of Fire.
8. There will be a final review of the records - the Great White Throne Judgment.
Death and Sheol (the place of the dead) will be consumed forever, in the “lake of fire.”
I read the prophecies over and over for 30 years. I must have asked a thousand times, “When will these things take place?” They certainly did not happen in the past. They must describe a future age - the Kingdom of Messiah. But how do all of these prophecies come together - to perfect fulfillment?”
I feel the LORD has answered my questions. As you read through this study with prayer, try to picture the events of The 8th Day.
The promises of return BELONG to Israel.
Believers are “grafted in” to Israel.
Unbelievers are “broken off” from Israel.
Those “in Christ” ARE Israel.
Romans Chapter Eleven
RETURN TO THE LAND
The prophetic books, from Isaiah to Malachi, include so many passages repeating the promise of healing, restoration, and of “return to the land” for Israel, that I cannot give the full text of each passage here. This is a major theme in the prophetic books. I will try to give highlights, with a list of references so that you can study this topic for yourselves.
A detailed event by event description is NOT the purpose of the prophecies. They give us a sweeping overview, with the promise of restoration to a perfect relationship with the LORD and eventual victory over all enemies, most especially over Satan, sin and death. Each student is encouraged to read the full context of each passage given here.
Some of the prophets called the rulers of Israel to account for idolatry and gross violations of The Covenant - sins which caused forfeiture of the special blessing of the LORD. They warned of destruction and death or slavery, if the protection of God should be removed from the land. Additional details were sometimes included regarding the devastation of surrounding nations, and even of the “whole earth.”
Prophets who wrote of destruction often included passages of hope, with promises of eventual return and restoration. Several wrote of events which would take place after Israel was returned to the land.
Some of the prophetic books give details about the calling of the prophet, about his experience of persecution, or about things which happened during his captivity. Beyond these details, two main themes remain very clear in the writings of every prophet from Isaiah to Malachi.
1. Disobedience resulting in Destruction
2. Repentance with Return and Healing.
THE ISRAEL OF DESCENT vs THE ISRAEL OF FAITH
The promises of return for descendants of Jacob, were also prophecies of a much greater return to the land for “the whole House of Israel” - Israel redeemed. Believing Gentiles are “grafted in” TO Israel, through faith in Israel’s Messiah. Unbelieving or rebellious Israelites are “broken off” FROM Israel. See our study: “Who are Israel?”
Galatians 3:29 “And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise.” (NAS)
John 14:6 “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me.’” (NAS)
GENTILES - NATIONS - FOREIGNERS - ALIENS - STRANGERS - PEOPLES
In the prophecies of “return,” a picture is given which includes non-Israelites. References to them are highlighted in RED, to show how often they are mentioned. These are non-Israelite “peoples,” living in and around Israel, after she is finally returned to “the land.”
Note: The returned prophesied must include “the whole house of Israel,” not just living descendants (as we see presently moving to the State of Israel). The “whole house” must include all of those who died in faith, including all “grafted in” Gentile believers.
“The rest of the dead” will “live again” at this time. They will constitute “nations in the four corners of the earth.” Any study of the 8th Millennium and the Kingdom of Messiah, must include them. What will happen to/for/with these people?
That is the focus of this study.
Non-Israelites joined the Exodus from Egypt. They were called “the mixed multitude.” Again, non-Israelites joined with the remnant of Israel, returning from Babylon. It should come as no surprise, that non-Israelites are described, living in and around Israel, after she is forever and finally returned to “the land,” in the Kingdom of Messiah’s reign.
I believe these “non-Israelites” will be “the rest of the dead,” who will be resurrected to continue their lives, so they may be informed concerning the Gospel and the things of God. Each person will then choose whom he/she will serve. Many will come to know the LORD, and will be “adopted” into the family of God - “grafted in” through Christ.
ISAIAH - PROPHECIES OF RETURN
Isaiah 14:1 “For the LORD will have mercy on Jacob, and will still choose Israel, and settle them in their own land. The strangers will be joined with them, and they will cling to the house of Jacob.”
NOTE: All uncircumcised, non-Israelites were called “strangers.” So here we have “strangers”present with Israel returned to the land. These “strangers” will cling to the house of Jacob, and will be joined with Israel.
Isaiah 11:11-16 “In that day the LORD shall set His hand again the second time to recover the remnant of His people who are left . . .” He “will assemble the outcasts of Israel,” and “gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth.” . . . “There will be a highway for the remnant of His people who will be left from Assyria, as it was for Israel in the day that he came up from the land of Egypt.”
The first “return” to “the land,” was the Exodus from Egypt. The descendants of Jacob’s twelve sons were “returning” to the land of their father. But only three men who left Egypt (out of all those 20 years and older) survived the wilderness wandering, to cross the Jordan into “the land promised.” Eleazar the priest, Caleb and Joshua were the “remnant.” A very small one. They were all that was left. A “remnant” is the small portion that remains.
The second recovery of a remnant, was the return from Babylon. The third return will be from “the ends of the earth.”
In the days of Ezra and Nehemiah, the LORD brought back a very small remnant of His people from Babylon. This was the TYPE. At the Glorious Return, Messiah will slay the wicked (something not seen in the days of Ezra), and He will recover ALL of Israel redeemed - from the four corners of the earth. Then He will return them to “the land.”
We know the “saved” will stand on the “sea of glass” which is in Heaven, before the Throne of God. They will be removed from this earth to escape the last plagues. Exactly when they will be “returned to the land” is a subject of debate. It is possible the redeemed (the Israel of God, which includes all believing Gentiles) will be “returned” part way through the 7th millennium. It is also possible they will be returned at the end of the 7th millennium.
Isaiah 35:1-10 Notice the context. The healing and return of the “ransomed”(v. 10) follows the general destruction of the earth and the nations. THEN “strangers” will be joined with them - with “the ransomed.”
Additional references: Isaiah 14:1-2; Isaiah 27:6; Isaiah 27:12-13; Isaiah 31:35; Isaiah 37:31-32; Isaiah 43:1-7; Isaiah 49:20-22; Isaiah 54:1-10; Isaiah 56:1-8.
JEREMIAH - PROMISES OF RETURN
Jeremiah 16:14-21 “‘Therefore behold, the days are coming,’ says the LORD, ‘that it shall no more be said, “The LORD lives who brought up the children of Israel from the land of Egypt,” but, “The LORD lives who brought up the children of Israel from the land of the north and from all the lands where He had driven them.” For I will bring them back into their land which I gave to their fathers.’”
Jeremiah wrote to the captives who had been taken to Babylon. The LORD would end their captivity and bring them back to their land, at the end of seventy years. When Cyrus the Mede conquered Babylon and freed the captive Israelites, only forty-two thousand returned in the first wave. This number was far fewer than were set free by the original Exodus from Egypt, yet Jeremiah says the LORD will be praised and remembered more for this return, than for the original Exodus from Egypt. Why would this be the case?
I believe the return of captives from Babylon was the TYPE - a living prophecy - representing the much greater return when Messiah rules the earth. At that future day, the “whole House of Israel” will be returned to “the land.” Included in this “whole,” will be all of those resurrected from death. Included in this future return, will be all of those Gentiles who were “grafted in” through faith in Messiah.
Jeremiah 23:3-8 “But I will gather the remnant of My flock out of all countries where I have driven them, and bring them back to their folds; . . .” A king called “The Branch of Righteousness” will come to reign over the earth. “‘Therefore, behold, the days are coming,’ says the LORD, ‘that they shall no longer say, ‘As the LORD lives who brought up the children of Israel from the land of Egypt,’ but ‘As the LORD lives who brought up and led the descendants of the house of Israel from the north country and from all the countries where I had driven them,’ and they shall dwell in their own land.’”
Jeremiah says they will no longer talk about the first Exodus from Egypt. They will talk about the last Exodus, from “all the countries.” The first Exodus will seem minuscule, compared with the last Exodus.
The first Exodus followed plagues which all but destroyed ancient Egypt, the most powerful nation of that day. At the final Exodus, the trumpet judgments and the seven wrath plagues will completely destroy all life on planet earth (Rev. Chapts 8-9, 15-16).
NOTE: The recent “return” resulting in the current nation of Israel, does NOT fulfill this prophecy! 1. The dead are missing. There has been no resurrection. 2. Believing Gentiles are missing. They are “grafted in” to Israel (Romans Cpt 11).
The “return” of Jews to the land which became the modern nation of Israel following WWII was NOT an event brought about by miracles which rivaled those of the first Exodus from Egypt. We saw no plagues, no opening of a “red sea,” no water brought from a rock, no manna from heaven. We saw only a persecuted, war weary people fighting their way into a small portion of the land promised to Abraham’s seed. The “Branch of Righteousness” does not reign. The lion does not lie down with the lamb. No! We must look to the future for a full and forever deliverance and return of “the whole house of Israel” to “the land.”
Jeremiah 24:5-7 The LORD promised to bring back a small remnant called the “good figs.” He would then give them “a heart to know Me.” [This is the New Covenant promise.]
The number of “Israelites” delivered at the Second Coming will seem but few - a small remnant - compared with the total number descended from Jacob, or compared with the total number who have ever prayed in the name of Jesus. The “remnant” is the small portion that remains.
Jeremiah 30:3 “‘I will bring back from captivity My people Israel and Judah,’ says the LORD. ‘And I will cause them to return to the land that I gave to their fathers . . .’”
When Jeremiah wrote this prophecy, the LORD had already divorced the Ten Northern tribes (Jer 3:8). They were scattered to the winds by Assyria in 722BC, 135 years before Jeremiah wrote this prophecy. Yet here the LORD says that He will recover them.
There were faithful individuals even within those 10 tribes. The prophet Hosea was such a person. So was the young slave girl who advised Naaman’s wife concerning her husband’s leprosy (2Ki 5:3). The descendants of those tribes - carried away by Assyria and dispersed throughout the whole region - may finally have lost any knowledge of the God of Israel. Many students of prophecy believe that the Ten Northern tribes were “branches broken off” forever. I believe that many of these people will be resurrected at The 8th Day, and they will then have the opportunity to learn of their Messiah. They can be “grafted in again,” if they choose to serve Him as Lord.
Many believe the entire nation of Israel has been replaced by “the church.” I totally disagree. (See our study “Who are Israel?.”) While I do believe that most Hebrew descendants of Jacob were “broken off” from Israel, Paul said they can be “grafted in again” if they come to God through Yeshua Messiah. I do NOT believe the LORD has rejected Israel from being His chosen people, much less that He has replaced Israel with a separate group called “the church.”
New Gentile believers are “grafted in” to Israel (Romans 11). They become Israelites. They become “partakers” of the promises and the covenants of Israel. The “Israel” of the return prophecies will be made up of believing Hebrews (from Abraham to our present day), along with believing Gentile converts, “grafted in” through faith in Yeshua Messiah.
Jeremiah Chapter 33:7-18 “And I will cause the captives of Judah and the captives of Israel to return, and will rebuild those places as at the first.” They will be “a name of joy, a praise, and an honor before all nations of the earth, who shall hear all the good that I do to them; they shall fear and tremble.” A descendant of David will reign, and will “execute judgment and righteousness in the earth.”
The picture is presented of Israel and Judah together again, their dead resurrected, healed and restored, while “all the nations of the earth” see this and “tremble.” Such conditions were NOT met after the return from Babylon. This is The 8th Day!
Many are presently teaching that the LORD is fulfilling this prophecy through the geopolitical nation today called “Israel.” They say the LORD has “resurrected” Israel, and they await the Coming One - the Son of David, who will rule the nations from Jerusalem. I believe such teaching is preparing the way for Antichrist. The “little horn” WILL rule the nations from Jerusalem. He WILL make it seem that prophecy has been fulfilled. He WILL “deceive, if possible, the very elect.” See our study, “The Evil Prince.”
Jeremiah 50:19-20 “‘But I will bring back Israel to his home, And he shall feed on Carmel and Bashan; His soul shall be satisfied on Mount Ephraim and Gilead. In those days and in that time,’ says the LORD, ‘The iniquity of Israel shall be sought, but there shall be none; And the sins of Judah, but they shall not be found; For I will pardon those whom I preserve.’”
When the remnant of Judah returned from Babylonian captivity, the LORD did not pardon all their sins. And today, the citizens of the present nation called Israel have not been especially pardoned by the LORD (unless they belong to Christ). At present, the State of Israel does not acknowledge Yeshua as Messiah, or as Savior. How can the LORD bless and protect a nation of people who continue to deny His Son? Conclusion: The fulfillment of this prophecy is yet future.
Jeremiah 32:37-41 Gathering ... then an everlasting covenant is made with those who return.
Jeremiah Chapter 31 Ephraim (a name for the 10 Northern tribes) will return to Zion (v.6). After they are returned to the land, Israel and Judah will enter into a “new covenant” with the LORD. The outcome of this covenant - “they shall all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them.” “For I will remember their sin no more.”
Again and again we see that a new “everlasting covenant” is made with redeemed Israel, in the land, AFTER she has been gathered.
At the Last Supper, Yeshua said, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood.” His death would bring about the fulfillment of God’s promise - a gathering, joining, healing, and restoration of the “whole” people of God - called “Israel.”
Other texts: Jeremiah 17:24-25; Jeremiah 46:27-28; Jeremiah 50:4-5, 19-20.
EZEKIEL - PROPHECIES OF RETURN
Ezekiel 11:13-20 The Lord would watch over the remnant who survived the destruction of Judah and Jerusalem. He would gather them, and would give them the land of Israel. THEN he would “give them one heart” and would “put a new spirit within them.”
This is the New Covenant promise!
Ezekiel 36:24-28 “For I will take you from among the nations, gather you out of all countries, and bring you into your own land. THEN I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them. Then you shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; you shall be My people, and I will be your God.”
1. GATHERED 2. RETURNED
3.CLEANSED 4. SPIRIT FILLED 5. BLESSED
There is a sense in which all believers still need to experience full cleansing of their minds - a true cleansing rather then simply a forensic or symbolic one. Such healing will take time (a thousand years perhaps).
Such a cleansing will necessitate a much fuller understanding of the LORD and His ways. All believers need to experience this fullness of His Spirit. During our lives in physical bodies, we have not experienced this “fullness.” “New wine” cannot be put into “old wineskins.” In this sense, the prophecy would apply to all believers. Those who look to Yeshua as Savior, ARE Israel. The resurrection, return and healing is for them.
Many are teaching that the current State of Israel is the result of “resurrection” with “return.” National and economic prosperity have followed. Israel has been rebuilt. They argue the “resurrection” of Ezekiel 37 was an unconditional promise of national resurrection. “Israel is returned to the land,” they say. “Only the awakening to Yeshua as their Messiah is left.”
I disagree!
1. The “whole House of Israel” has NOT been returned to “the land.” Where are those who died in faith? There has been no literal resurrection.
2. “The land” promised to Abraham, extended “from the river of Egypt to the River Euphrates” (Gen. 15:18). The current State of Israel occupies only a fraction of “the land promised.”
3. There has been no unification of Israel with Judah - no recovery of those lost to Assyrian deportation.
4. This teaching ignores the LORD’s clear promise that reward is tied to covenant obedience. He does NOT bless those who ignore or reject Him. Surveys have shown that only part of the Jews living within the present State of Israel, even believe that God exists. Only a tiny fraction believe that Yeshua is the Son of God, and Messiah.
Ezekiel 36:33-36 “. . . On the day that I cleanse you from all your iniquities I will also enable you to dwell in the cities and the ruins shall be rebuilt” (v.33). “THEN the nations which are left all around you shall know that I, the LORD, have rebuilt the ruined places and planted what was desolate” (v.36).
I believe those “nations” will be “the rest of the dead,” raised at the 8th millennium.
Ezekiel 28:25-26 “WHEN I have gathered the house of Israel from the peoples among whom they are scattered, and am hallowed in them in the site of the Gentiles, THEN they will dwell in their own land which I gave to My servant Jacob.”
Gathered - Spirit filled - THEN “dwell in their own land.”
Ezekiel 34:11-30 AFTER the LORD has brought his sheep back to their own land, He will set up “one shepherd over them” - a descendant of King David. “I will make a covenant of peace with them.”
This is the promised New Covenant!
Ezekiel 37:11-14 “These bones are the whole house of Israel.” . . .“Therefore prophesy and say to them, thus says the Lord GOD: ‘Behold, Oh my people, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up from your graves, and will bring you into the land of Israel. THEN you shall know that I am the Lord, when I have opened your graves, Oh my people, and brought you up out of your graves, I will put my spirit in you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land; Then you shall know that I the Lord have spoken it, and performed it, says the Lord.’”
Return follows resurrection!!
We know the righteous will be resurrected at the Glorious Return.
Ezekiel was told concerning the dry bones,“these are the WHOLE house of Israel.” The very recent return of living biological descendants to the present State of Israel does NOT fulfill the prophetic vision given to Ezekiel.
1. The very recent “return” does not include the WHOLE “land” promised to Abraham’s seed
“from the river of Egypt to the river of Babylon, the great river Euphrates” (Genesis 15:18).
The New Jerusalem, when the city descends (Rev 21:10) will cover the entire land area promised to the Seed of Abraham. See our study: “The New Jerusalem.”
2. The recent “return” does not include “the WHOLE house of Israel.”
A. The majority of Jews still live outside the boundaries of “the land” promised to Abraham.
B. The dead are missing. Joseph, Jacob, Aaron and so many more are missing. The prophet Daniel would be included in this prophecy. He never left Babylon. He was told, “for you shall rest, and will arise to your inheritance at the end of the days” (Dan 12:13).
C. Most descendants of the 10 Northern tribes are missing.
D. The vast majority of those who have been “grafted in” through Messiah are missing. The State of Israel does not allow “Christians” to immigrate, regardless of Jewish descent.
See our study: “Who are Israel?”
ZECHARIAH - PROPHECIES OF RETURN
Zechariah 8:7-8 “This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘I will save my people from the countries of the East and the West. 8 I will bring them back to live in Jerusalem; they will be my people, and I will be faithful and righteous to them as their God.’” (NIV)
Zechariah was among the returning captives from Babylon. He was contemporary with Ezra and Nehemiah. He was well aware that the ten Northern Tribes had been conquered some 200 years before, with any survivors dispersed as slaves throughout the Assyrian empire.
Zechariah 10:8 “I will whistle for them to gather them together, For I have redeemed them; And they will be as numerous as they were before. 9 When I scatter them among the peoples, They will remember Me in far countries, And they with their children will live and come back. 10 I will bring them back from the land of Egypt, And gather them from Assyria; And I will bring them into the land of Gilead and Lebanon, Until no room can be found for them.” (NAS)
Zechariah 8:13 “And it shall come to pass That just as you were a curse among the nations, O house of Judah and house of Israel, So I will save you, and you shall be a blessing. Do not fear, Let your hands be strong.”
THE TEMPLE OF THE LORD - RESTORED
I have explained that the cleansing and consecration process for the Temple, the Mount and the priesthood, will take “seven days” and “with the LORD a day is as a thousand years” (2Peter 3:8) . The Temple of the Messiah’s Kingdom will not be ready until the 8th millennium - The 8th Day. The consecration of the priesthood for that Temple, will not be completed until The 8th Day. (See Lev Chpt.14; Exo 29:37, 44; Eze 43:26-27; 2Chron 29:17.)
Ezekiel 37:15-27 The LORD will gather the children of Israel. Judah and Israel will be joined into one kingdom - never to be separated again, with one King - from the line of David (v.24).
The Lord will then make an everlasting covenant of peace with those He has gathered (v.26).
“My Tabernacle also shall be with them; . . . The nations also will know that I, the LORD, sanctify Israel, WHEN My sanctuary is in their midst forevermore.”
The word translated as “nations,” is a Hebrew term for Gentiles, or non-Israelites.
SIZE MATTERS: Ezekiel the Prophet was shown in a vision, “the whole house of Israel,” resurrected, gathered and returned to the land. The prophet was shown “a city,” and “a temple.” The Temple of Ezekiel’s vision, measures only 500 cubits on each side (approximately 730 feet) (Ezek. 45:2), and has never been built. It measures some 210 feet high. It’s structure widens as it rises higher. The technology for such a building did not exist in Ezekiel’s time.
The “city” shown to Ezekiel in the vision, measures 18 thousand cubits around (approximately 5 miles on each side) (Ezek 48:30-35). Contrast that “city” with the New Jerusalem, which measures 12 thousand furlongs around (12 to 15 thousand miles, depending on translation) - 345 miles on each side (Rev 21:16). The New Jerusalem of John’s vision, is some 69 times LARGER than the City of Ezekiel’s vision.
Once the New Jerusalem descends from Heaven to the earth, it will completely cover the present State of Israel. It will cover the land area promised to the Tribes of Israel in Numbers Chapters 32-34, and described in Ezekiel’s vision of “the return” (Ezek 47:13 - 48:29). The New Jerusalem will completely cover the land area promised to the Seed of Abraham (Gen 15:18).N
Once the New Jerusalem descends to earth, there will be NO PLACE to put either the City or the Temple of Ezekiel’s vision.
This means that the New Jerusalem cannot come down from Heaven, until after the Battle of Gog/Magog, which battle does not take place until after Satan is released at the 8th millennium, “to deceive the nations.” The army of Gog/Magog is described as coming “up into the land” (Eze 38:8-9, 12-16, 17). How could the army of Gog come “into the land” if “the land” is completely covered by the New Jerusalem?
Ezekiel 20:40-44 “All the house of Israel” - “all of them in the land” will serve the LORD GOD “on My holy mountain” (v.40). “I will accept you as a sweet aroma” (v.41). “I will be hallowed in you before the Gentiles” (v.41).
The “Gentiles” have to SEE this! They have to see the LORD “hallowed” in those Israelites who are returned to the land. This has NOT happened yet!
Remember. The offerings and sacrifices of the Tabernacle were symbolic - acted prophecy. Through Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers - forty times - the words “sweet aroma” refer to the smell from something sacrificed. A “sweet aroma” referred to a sacrifice offered with humility and sincerity. When the LORD says, “I will accept you as a sweet aroma,” what does He mean? Isaiah speaks of “all your brethren” brought to the Lord “as the children of Israel bring an offering in a clean vessel into the house of the LORD” (Isa. 66:20-22). In these passages, living recovered persons are presented to the LORD “as an offering.”
I believe that Christ will present the redeemed of humanity, to His Father, as His offering. Just as He presented Himself as the Lamb of God - the“sin offering,” and as the “Firstfruits” offering on the morning of His resurrection.
NOTE: In the TYPE, an animal for sacrifice, became “acceptable” for presentation to the LORD, on the 8th day from its birth.
Isaiah 2:1-4 “And it shall come to pass in the latter days, that the mountain of Jehovah's house shall be established on the top of the mountains [great kingdoms], and shall be exalted above the hills [lesser kingdoms]; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many peoples shall go and say, ‘Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of Jehovah, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths:’ for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of Jehovah from Jerusalem.”
Jehovah’s House (kingdom) will be established above all other kingdoms. These events must take place AFTER the Glorious Return of Christ. Growing up, I was taught that the wicked will all be raised in “the second resurrection” at the 8th millennium, just to be judged and then annihilated. But here we see “peoples” (non-Israelites) going up to the House of God, where they expect that “He will teach us his ways.” Their desire is to “walk in his paths.” Doesn’t sound like the scenario I was taught years ago.
Isaiah 2:1-4 [Continued] And he [Yeshua Messiah] will judge between the nations, and will decide concerning many peoples; and 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 any more.” (ASV) (See also Micah 4:1-2.)
The involvement of “many peoples” is obvious. These “peoples” are NOT Israel. They are “the nations.” And they “ flow up” to Jehovah’s house. This is the Kingdom of Messiah on the earth, after “the rest of the dead” have been raised. This is The 8th Day!
Haggai 2:6-9 “For thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘Once more (it is a little while) I will shake heaven and earth, the sea and dry land; [at the Glorious Return] and I will shake all nations, and they shall come to the Desire of All Nations, and I will fill this temple with glory,’ says the LORD of hosts . . . ‘The glory of this latter temple shall be greater than the former’ says the LORD of hosts. ‘And in this place I will give peace,’ says the LORD of hosts.”
Here again we have a prophecy with a dual application. The presence of Christ in the rebuilt Temple of Herod’s day, did bring greater “glory” to that House. But there has been no peace, as yet, in Jerusalem. For this, we must look to Messiah’s kingdom on the earth.
Gentile kings will bring riches to Jerusalem to beautify the House of Lord (Isaiah 2:2-3; Isaiah 60:13-14). Except for the East gate, the gates are always open. The Mountain (kingdom) of the Lord will be established. Many “nations shall flow to it” (Micah 4:1-8). This wording tells us that Messiah will rule over the nations, which must come to Israel for instruction concerning the “ways” of the LORD. See our study: “Ezekiel’s Temple.”
Amos 9:11-12 “‘On that day I will raise up The tabernacle [house] of David, which has fallen down, And repair its damages; I will raise up its ruins, And rebuild it as in the days of old; That they may possess the remnant of Edom, and all the Gentiles who are called by My name,’ Says the LORD who does this thing.”
The name translated as “Edom” can just as reasonably be translated “Adam,” meaning “mankind.” A remnant of mankind will come to God through Christ - the legal heir to the “David’s Throne.” The walls Jerusalem will “possess the remnant of mankind.” The Gentiles who “are called” by the name of Jesus, will be the possession of the LORD.
EZEKIEL’S TEMPLE - Another Temporary House
The New Jerusalem measures 345 miles on a side and 345 miles high. It is enormous - compared with Ezekiel’s Temple. Of the Holy City, John wrote that he “saw no Temple in it, for The Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its Temple” (Revelation 21:22; 22:1,3).
When sin is completely cleansed from the earth - when all mankind (all those left) are perfectly reconciled to the Father - there will be “no Temple”- just God and the Lamb (Rev. 21:22). From this, we understand that the Temple of The 8th Day Kingdom - Ezekiel’s Temple, will be another temporary House.
The people raised at The 8th Day are not yet ready to enter directly into the presence of “the One who sits on the Throne.” They still need a buffer - a place where they may approach the LORD, while they are shielded from His glory. They will be raised in mortal physical bodies, not with the spiritual body (1Cor 15:44). See our study: “Ezekiel’s Temple.”
CIRCUMCISED - IN HEART
and IN FLESH
Ezekiel 44:5 & 9 Only those circumcised in heart AND in flesh may enter this Temple.
[Ezekiel’s Temple]
Zechariah 14:20 There will be “no Canaanite in the House of the LORD.”
Joel 3:17 “Jerusalem shall be holy, and no aliens shall ever pass through her again.”
Jesus Christ will CIRCUMCISE our FLESH when we are “changed in a moment” on the day that He returns in glory (1Cor. 15:51-52). The mortal “flesh” will be gone. We will receive the immortal spiritual body (1Cor. 15:44, 1Thess. 4:16-17).
In the TYPE, Joshua led the people across the Jordan River, which rolled back as a scroll. Joshua then “circumcised the people” (Joshua 5:3). None of the males born in the wilderness, had been circumcised since the day that Israel was turned back to wander for 40 years. They were under the frown and the judgment of the LORD.
At the FULFILLMENT, Yeshua (Jesus) will lead His people across the sky, “rolled back as a scroll.” And He will “circumcise” His redeemed people. Corruption will put on incorruption - the “spiritual body” will take the place of the mortal “flesh.”
CIRCUMCISION OF THE HEART is the work of Christ by His spirit. This change is a process which will culminate in “the land” - at The 8th Day - with the “new covenant.”
The LORD will forever write His law on our hearts
(Ezek. 36:23-27; Jer. 31:31-34; Heb. 8:10; Deut. 30:4-6).
Many of “the rest,” raised to life at The 8th Day, will come to know Yeshua Messiah as Lord and Savior. These also He will circumcise in heart, and they will finally receive the “spiritual body,” which will allow them to enter the Temple court, and to one day enter the New Jerusalem.” As Paul wrote, “flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable” (1Cor 15:50 NAS).
THE HEALING STREAM
AND THE LAST GREAT RESURRECTION
Ezekiel Chapter 47 In his vision of the Temple to be built, Ezekiel saw a stream, “flowing from under the right side of the Temple, flowing south from the threshold toward the East.” The stream became a river which was too deep to cross. The river divided again and again, and where these rivers flowed, everything came back to life (v.9).
Ezekiel 47:9 “And it shall be that every living thing that moves,
where ever the rivers go, will live.”
Zechariah 14:8 “And in that day it shall be that living waters shall flow from Jerusalem, half of them toward the Eastern sea and half of them toward the Western sea, in both summer and winter it shall occur. And the LORD shall be King over all the earth. In that day it shall be –‘The LORD is one, and His name one.’”
Joel 3:17-18 “A fountain shall flow from the house of the LORD” that will water the Valley of Acacias.”
Revelation 22:1 The “River of water of life” will flow from the throne of God and of the Lamb.
Psalm 104:30 “You send forth Your spirit, they are created; and You renew the face of the earth.”
Water is employed in Scripture as a symbol of the Holy Spirit. We are “sprinkled” with it. We are “washed” with it. We are “baptized” in it. And we “drink” of the “water of life.”
John 4:10 & 14 [Jesus speaking] “. . . whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.”
THE REST OF THE DEAD - RAISED TO LIFE
Revelation 20:5 “But the rest of the dead did not live again
until the thousand years were finished.”
Who are the “rest of the dead?”
They are NOT resurrected at the Glorious Return.
They are NOT judged at the Glorious Return.
They WAIT - until 1000 years have past.
They will “live again” at the 8th millennium.
I believe these will be the uninformed and the immature. They did not knowingly reject Christ during their lifetimes, because they did not know about Him. These people lived and died in ignorance of God, and of His Son. They may have died as children, or have been mentally compromised, or simply have lived in a place or at a time when the LORD was unknown. These people will live again - at The 8th Day. They will be governed and taught by Christ, and by His priesthood. They will be resurrected and taught and then given the opportunity to choose the Son of God as Savior and LORD and King.
This is right! This is just!
The old teaching that the unbaptized will suffer unending conscious torment in Hell, was a terrible slur on the name of God. See our study: “Hell - What it’s Not.”
NOTE: To transport a small child instantly into the Kingdom of God at death, would also be unjust. That child did not consent. He never chose to serve God. He was never tested. Without some manipulation of his mind, how would the LORD guarantee his continued harmony within the redeemed? Our God does not manipulate human beings of any age! If the LORD can simply use manipulation, then He should have used it in the first place - with Adam and Eve, and skipped this whole painful mess!!
PRIEST and KING - MESSIAH REIGNS
Revelation 11:15 “Then the 7th 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!”
Daniel 7:13-14 “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.” (NIV)
Zechariah 6:13 “Yes, He shall build the temple of the LORD. He shall bear the glory, And shall sit and rule on His throne; So He shall be a priest on His throne, And the counsel of peace shall be between them both.”
There are two ways to interpret this verse. Presently, the Son of God shares the throne of His Father (Rev 3:21). He is also our High Priest in Heaven. He is “a priest on His [Father’s] throne.” “The counsel of peace” is now between the Father and His Son.
In the coming Kingdom of Messiah on the earth, The Son of God will sit on David’s throne. He will still be High Priest over Israel. He has been made “a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek” (Psa 110:4, Heb 6:20). He will be BOTH High Priest and King, just as Melchizedek the TYPE, was priest and king of Salem (Gen 14:18).
THE REDEEMED - Given everlasting life
THE WICKED - “Cut off” & left to die in the plagues
THE IGNORANT - Remain asleep in death until The 8th Day
WE WILL REIGN WITH HIM - as PRIESTS and KINGS
Revelation 20:6 “Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.”
I believe those delivered at the Glorious Return, will reign during the 8th millennium.
A. There will be no one to govern, during the 7th millennium.
The “rest of the dead” - “the nations,” will “not live again” until the 8th millennium.
B. Those raised at the Glorious Return, will not be ready to govern and teach “the nations,” immediately following their deliverance. They will need healing, and preparation and consecration.
In the TYPE, the consecration of Aaron and his sons took 7 days. They began to minister as priests, on the 8th day. (With the LORD a day is as a thousand years.)
Revelation 5:9-10 [The 24 Elders sing.] “For You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, and have made [are making] us kings and priests to our God; and we shall reign on the earth.”
NOTE: The words “have made” are in the aorist tense - signifying an ongoing process. The 24 elders will reign on the earth. They are not reigning - yet.
Revelation 2:26-27 “And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations – He shall rule them with a rod of iron.”
2 Timothy 2:12 “If we endure, we shall also reign with Him.”
1 Corinthians 6:2 “Do you not know that the saints will judge the world?”
Revelation 3:21 “To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne,
as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.”
To “sit with” Christ on His throne, will be to share His authority as ruler.
STRUCTURE OF GOVERNMENT
Christ as Head and High Priest
The 12 Apostles
The 24 Elders of Revelation
The 144,000
All of Israel redeemed from the First Resurrection
(Now “priests of God and of Christ)
Ezekiel 44:23-24 The priests who serve in the New Temple, will judge, decide disputes, and teach the law (Lev. 9:1, Exo. 29:35, Lev. 8:33-35, Deut. 21:5, Deut. 33:8).
Isaiah 61:4-9 “And they [the returned] shall rebuild the old ruins, They shall raise up the former desolations, And they shall repair the ruined cities, The desolations of many generations. Strangers [non-Israelites] shall stand and feed your flocks, and the sons of the foreigner shall be your plowmen and your vine-dressers. But you shall be named the priests of the LORD.” (See Isa. 14:1-2.)
Isaiah 61:4-9 [continued] “They shall call you the servants of our God. You shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, And in their glory you shall boast. Instead of your shame you shall have double honor, [the inheritance of the firstborn] And instead of confusion they shall rejoice in their portion. Therefore in their land they shall possess double; Everlasting joy shall be theirs. For I, the LORD, love justice; I hate robbery for burnt offering; I will direct their work in truth, And will make with them an everlasting covenant [The New Covenant].
Their descendants shall be known among the Gentiles, [the nations] And their offspring among the people. All who see them shall acknowledge them, That they are the posterity whom the LORD has blessed.”
NOTE: These CANNOT be Levite priests, because the Levites were to have “no inheritance in the land” much less a “double portion.”
This was a dual prophecy. Israel did “return” and rebuild their city, following the captivity in Babylon, but they did not possess twice what the Gentile nations had of material things. They were blessed with the presence of Christ Himself! They did not “eat the riches of the Gentiles.” They were conquered by Greece, by Rome, by the Ottomans, and then by the British. The final and complete fulfillment of this prophecy belongs to the Kingdom of Messiah at The 8th Day.
Obadiah 20-21 “And the captives of this host of the children of Israel shall possess the land of the Canaanites . . . Then saviors shall come to Mount Zion to judge the mountains of Esau, and the kingdom shall be the LORD’s.”
NOTE: I believe “the saviors” to come, will be the “priests” who will govern under Christ. They will judge the nations, including “the mountains of Esau” - the kingdoms of mankind.
AFTER THE RETURN -
HIS PLAN FOR “THE NATIONS”
Many passages suggest the presence of non-Israelites on the earth, AFTER Israel has been returned to the land. They are called “strangers,” “aliens,” “Gentiles,” “peoples,” or “the nations.” I believe these will be “the rest of the dead,” who will sleep in death through the 7th millennium, to be awakened in the last great resurrection at The 8th Day.
Isaiah 11:1-10 The “Rod from the stem of Jesse” [Jesus] will slay the wicked [at His Glorious Return]. Then “the wolf will dwell with the lamb” and “the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD.” This “root of Jesse” [Yeshua Messiah] will “stand as a banner to the people;” and “the Gentiles will seek Him.”
Here the “Gentiles” seek the LORD, in the same kingdom where the wolf dwells with the lamb. This is the Kingdom of Messiah on the earth.
Isaiah 66:18-21 [After the destruction of v. 15-17] “The time cometh, that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come, and shall see my glory.
And I will set a sign among them, and I will send such as escape of them [those raised first at the Glorious Return] unto the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, that draw the bow, to Tubal and Javan, to the isles afar off, that have not heard my fame, neither have seen my glory; and they shall declare my glory among the nations.
And they shall bring all your brethren out of all the nations for an oblation unto Jehovah, upon horses, and in chariots, and in litters, and upon mules, and upon dromedaries, to my holy mountain Jerusalem, saith Jehovah, as the children of Israel bring their oblation in a clean vessel into the house of Jehovah.
Isaiah 66:21 [continued] “And of them also will I take for priests and for Levites, [to serve Ezekiel’s Temple] saith Jehovah.” (ASV)
WOW!! He will gather all nations and tongues. Then He will set a sign among them. Human beings from “the first resurrection” with spiritual bodies, ruling with Christ - now that WILL be a sign!
In the prophecy, those of “the nations,” who “escaped,” are those who came to believe in the true God, and were “grafted in” (to Israel redeemed) through Christ. The LORD will send them back to their ancestral peoples, to teach the Gospel. He calls them “a sign” (a witness). Imagine being sent to your own grandparents, 30 generations back - to tell them about Jesus.
These witnesses will then bring “many brethren” to Christ. Those new believers will be presented to God - like an offering - as “fruits” of a great harvest.
Some of the people won to Christ and the Father, will even themselves be taken for “Levites.” They will not literally become genetic descendants of Levi. They will be appointed to the role of the Levites at Ezekiel’s Temple. They will “serve the Temple.” Wow!!
(Compare Zechariah 3:7-8: The “companions who sit before” Joshua the High Priest, will be “a wondrous sign.”)
Ezekiel 36:33-36 “Thus says the Lord GOD: ‘On the day that I cleanse you from all your iniquities, I will also enable you to dwell in the cities, and the ruins shall be rebuilt. The desolate land shall be tilled instead of lying desolate in the sight of all who pass by. So they will say,`This land that was desolate has become like the garden of Eden; and the wasted, desolate, and ruined cities are now fortified and inhabited.' Then the nations which are left all around you shall know that I, the LORD, have rebuilt the ruined places and planted what was desolate. I, the LORD, have spoken it, and I will do it.”
The desolate land will become like the garden of Eden. This did NOT happen in the days of Ezra, when the captives returned from Babylon. This has never happened! The “nations” which were left all around Israel” did NOT see and know that the LORD had done this! In fact they conspired to stop the rebuilding. We see the same today.
Ezekiel 28:25 “Thus says the Lord GOD: ‘WHEN I have gathered the house of Israel from the peoples among whom they are scattered, AND am hallowed in them in the sight of the Gentiles, THEN they will dwell in their own land which I gave to My servant Jacob. And they will dwell safely there, build houses, and plant vineyards; yes, they will dwell securely, when I execute judgments on all those around them who despise them. Then they shall know that I am the LORD their God.’”
In our study “Gog and Magog,” we will consider the “judgments” which the LORD will “execute” during The 8th Day millennial Kingdom of Messiah.
MANY - FROM THE NATIONS
WILL COME TO KNOW THE LORD
Consider the slave, kidnaped from home and land, who then died in the stinking hold of a slave ship. Consider the young child in Samaria - sacrificed to Baal, or the young child in New York City abused by a parent, dead by the age of seven. What will become of these human beings? They did not live long enough to choose the LORD, yet our God is “not willing that any should perish” (2 Peter 3:9). Every human being must have the opportunity to choose the LORD. That is only just. Whole nations have lived and died without ever knowing the God of Israel, or His Son. I believe these will be resurrected and then given time to know Him. Only when “this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached to every nation, kindred, tongue and people” can “the end” truly come (Matthew 24:14).
Zechariah 2:11 “Many nations shall be joined to the LORD in that day, and they shall become My people. And I will dwell in your midst. Then you will know that the LORD of hosts has sent Me to you.”
Jeremiah 16:19-21 [Verses 14-15 describe the promised return of Israel to the land.] “The Gentiles shall come to You from the ends of the earth . . .” “I will cause them to know My hand and My might; and they shall know that My name is the LORD.”
Isaiah 66:18 “It shall be that I will gather all nations and tongues, and they shall come and see My glory.”
Zechariah 2:1-12 “Jerusalem will be inhabited as a “town without walls” (Ezek. 38:11) because of the multitude (v.4). [There will be so many.] “The LORD will take possession of Judah as His inheritance in the Holy Land and will again chose Jerusalem” (v.12).
Isaiah 2:1-3 “And it shall come to pass in the latter days, that the mountain [kingdom] of Jehovah's house shall be established on the top of the mountains [kingdoms], and shall be exalted above the hills [smaller kingdoms]; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many peoples shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of Jehovah, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of Jehovah from Jerusalem.” (ASV)
Zechariah 8:20-23 “Peoples shall yet come, inhabitants of many cities; The inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying, ‘Let us continue to go and pray before the LORD, and seek the LORD of hosts. I myself will go also.’ Yes, many peoples and strong nations shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray before the LORD. Thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘In those days ten men from every language of the nations shall grasp the sleeve of a Jewish man, (Yeshua Messiah) saying, ‘Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.’”
Ezekiel 36:23 “The nations shall know that I am the LORD, . . .
when I am hallowed in you before their eyes.”
THE EVIL NEIGHBORS - ALSO RETURNED - TO THEIR LANDS
Jeremiah 12:14-16 “Thus says the LORD: ‘Against all My evil neighbors who touch the inheritance which I have caused My people Israel to inherit–behold, I will pluck them out of their land, and pluck out the house of Judah from among them.
THEN it shall be, after I have plucked them out, that
I will return and have compassion on them and bring them back, everyone to his heritage and everyone to his land.’”
Jeremiah 12:14-16 [continued] “And it shall be, if they will diligently learn the ways of My people, to swear by My name, ‘As the LORD lives,’ . . . ‘then they shall be established in the midst of My people.’”
* * * This one is an absolute bombshell! * * *
* * * The evil neighbors of Israel will be plucked out, and then later returned to their lands. And if they will learn the ways of the LORD, then former “evil neighbors” “will be established in the midst of my people.” * * *
THE MIXED MULTITUDE - A PROPHECY
When the children of Israel came out of Egypt, a large number of mixed blood and other slave peoples came out with them, following Moses into the wilderness. These people sojourned with Israel. They were the first to complain. They were first to return to idol worship (Exo. 12:28, Num. 11:4).
In the prophecies of “the nations” who are resurrected at The 8th Day, the picture is presented of a “mixed multitude.” They are living on the earth with Christ reigning from Jerusalem, with Israel brought back to the land. And just as in the first Exodus, the mixed multitude (“the family of Egypt”) are the trouble-makers.
Zechariah 14:16-21 “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.”
This is definitely AFTER the Glorious Return of Messiah. All those “left” from “the nations,” go up to Jerusalem to keep the Feast of Tabernacles.
“Everyone who is left”- will go up to “worship the King,” who is reigning from Jerusalem. This is Christ! Isaiah 11:11-16 speaks of the “remnant of His people who are left.” They will become “priests of God and of Christ” to govern the nations. And here we have “everyone who is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem” over the years of her existence in the first age. I believe these will be the redeemed, saved from every “nation, kindred, tongue and people.” They will “go up” to keep the Feasts of the LORD at Jerusalem.
Zechariah Chapter 14 Continued:
“And it shall be that whichever of the families of the earth [raised at The 8th Day] do not come up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, on them there will be no rain (no Spirit).”
“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. 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.”
All “the nations” are invited to come up to Jerusalem, to “worship the King.” Many will come. Others will refuse. The term “family of Egypt” refers, I believe, to “the mixed multitude” of this greater Exodus. Their hearts are still in “Egypt” - still loving their idols, their sin and their Pharaoh (Satan).
The LORD has “sent” His “sign posts” to the nations, to help them find their way. From every nation, kindred and language, those raised at the “first resurrection” have been sent back to their kindred nations, to witness for Christ.
The 6000 years of this age, are for calling the priesthood, whom the LORD will use to win millions from “the rest,” during the 8th millennium. The resurrection of “the rest” will be the greatest resurrection of all time, in terms of sheer numbers.
“The nations” (non-Israelites) are invited to go up to Jerusalem, to keep the Feast of Tabernacles. Anciently, Gentiles were invited only to this Feast - not to Passover or Pentecost.
The Water Ceremony, performed during the Feast of Tabernacles WAS a prayer for rain. In prophecy or TYPE, water always represents the Holy Spirit. Those of the nations who will “not come up,” will not receive this outpouring of the healing Spirit. They will be deceived by Satan, who is loosed from the pit at the 8th millennium, to “deceive the nations” (Rev 20).
Rebellion is brewing.
SUMMARY
1. The 8th Day will be the 8th millennium from the sin of Adam and the fall of man.
2. The redeemed - delivered at the Glorious Return, are now consecrated and will serve as priests and kings - under Christ, to govern and teach “the rest of the dead” - “the nations” who will be resurrected at the 8th millennium.
3. Israel redeemed (which includes all believing Gentiles “grafted in”) will be returned to “the land.”
4. Redeemed Israel will build the Temple of the LORD - Ezekiel’s Temple.
5. A river bringing life, will flow out from this Temple.
6. The “rest of the dead” will be raised to life, as the river flows out.
Those raised to life at the 8th Day, will constitute “nations in the four corners of the earth.”
7. The priesthood of Israel redeemed, will serve as the government under Christ.
They will teach the Law, settle disputes, and will “rule the nations.”
8. Many of the redeemed will be sent back to their families, clans, tribes, and nations to witness for God our Father and His Son - Yeshua Messiah.
9. Many from the nations will seek the LORD, and will choose to serve Him.
10. Those who rebel against the reign of Christ, will join the army of Gog/Magog.
They will finally come up to attack Jerusalem.
They will be consumed by the fire of God from heaven.
We pray this study will prove a blessing.
Prophecy Viewpoint
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