Monday, September 1, 2014

“A GREAT WOMAN”

By Jack Davis

“Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies” – Prov. 31:10.
“The king's daughter is all glorious within: her clothing is of wrought gold. She shall be brought unto the king in raiment of needlework” – Psa. 45:13-14.
We read in Scripture of types, such as – “the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, made he a woman, and bought her to the man” – Gen. 2:22. Abraham sent his eldest servant to find and bring a bride to his son Isaac – Gen. 24. Hegai prepared Esther to please the king and gain the throne as queen – Esther 2. The choice woman of king Solomon’s day said; “Draw, me, and we will run after thee,” and he said of her; “My dove, my undefiled is but one: she is the only one of her mother, she is the choice one of her that bare her.” And to her he said: “Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away.”

The Apostle Paul wrote: “I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ” – II Cor. 11:2. In Ephesians five we see Christ loved the church and gave himself for it; “That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it unto himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing, but that it should be holy and without blemish” – Eph. 5:25-27. “Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready” – Rev. 19:6.

From these, and many other scriptures we can see that the Lord is developing a very special people for a special place. There is clearly a necessary preparation, separation, and qualification for that place. Women in Scripture are used to depict groups, or bodies of people, religious or unreligious, good or bad, spiritual or carnal.

God tells us of some outstanding qualities of a great woman in Elisha’s day. These can teach us of characteristics that are being developed in overcoming believers which will constitute the company God chooses for His Son, to reign conjointly with Him. Please note with me three of these: concern, contentment, confidence.

“And it fell on a day, that Elisha passed to Shunem, where was a great woman; and she constrained him to eat bread. And so it was as oft as he passed by, he turned in thither to eat bread. And she said unto her husband, Behold now, I perceive that this is an holy man of God, which passeth by us continually. Let us make a little chamber, I pray thee, on the wall; and let us set for him there a bed, and a table, and a stool, and a candlestick: and it shall be, when he cometh to us, that he shall turn in thither” – II Kings 4:8-10.

Often we find those that are truly concerned with the needs of others, not being self centered, are usually more content with their lot in life. They are not self-seeking. Their lives also often seem to manifest more than average share of confidence. Yet they are not self-sufficient. We are wise to let Him work in us traits of one He calls great.

When Elisha came that way one day, and was resting in that prepared and furnished guest room, he sent his servant to find out what could be done for this woman in return for all the care she had been for them.

CONCERN: This woman showed her earnest care by her actions. She had good perception realizing that this man sent from God to serve the people, had need of such a place. She, like many overcomers down through the ages, was given to practical care. She not only sensed a need but also influenced her husband to a right action. Our Apostle wrote of being a lover of hospitality – Titus 1:8. Peter admonished to “use hospitality one to another without grudging;” (Welcome one another as guest without grumbling, i.e., with a glad heart). Romans 12:13, “Distributing to the necessity of the saints; given to hospitality,” “given,” “pursuing the practice.”

I am reminded of Lydia of the Apostle Paul’s day who, “worshipped God,” and when she had heard them minister the Word, and had “attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul,” the Lord opened her heart. “And when she was baptized, and her household,” she besought them saying, “If ye have judge me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house and abide there. And she constrained us” – Acts 16:14-15. Ah yes, the Lord had opened her heart, and she opened her house.

The Lord must give us wisdom in each case, but most of God’s people are not like this today. The attitude is generally, “Oh, let some one else do it.” They seem to have a thousand and one excuses. Oh, let God put such kindness in our heart. Paul thanked God, “which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus” for those saints – II Cor. 8:16. He spoke of Timothy, “who will naturally care for your state” – Phil. 2:20. He rejoiced greatly that the care of the Philippian saints for him had flourished. Do you think that the Bride of Christ will be lacking in this trait? I think not. Jesus made it clear, that greatness comes to those who serve - Mt. 23:11; 20:26-28.

CONTENTMENT: II Kings 4:13, “Behold, thou hast been carful for us with all this care; what is to be done for thee? Wouldest thou be spoken for to the king, or to the captain of the host? And she answered, I dwell among mine one people.” Her answer seems to say, I am satisfied where I am, and with what I have. By sharing what she had she wasn’t trying to advance or better herself. She didn’t murmer nor complain, wasn’t fretful about how others were treating her, or how they were doing, nor what place they had, She was indeed a person in need. Her husband was old and she had no children (v. 14). We are admonished; “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have; for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me: – Heb. 13:5-6. When we find our satisfaction in the Lord He gives us the desire of our hearts – Ps. 37:4.

“WOULD YOU BE SPOKEN FOR” (II Kings 4:13): The prophet is those days had influence with the kings and captains, He could help her standing, and that of her family by putting in a good word. By this I am reminded of a precious fact. As we find our satisfaction in the will of God, we are also spoken for, to the Captain of the Lord’s host, the Captain of our salvation, Who has chosen us to be a true and faithful soldier. It is by His grace that we are strengthened to endure hardness, and sustained to fight that good fight of faith. The Holy Spirit also puts in a good word for us to the King of kings and Lord of lords.

This great woman had no doubt been through some trying experiences that produced in her this contented attitude. We hear this is the testimony of our dear brother Paul. “I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both abound and to suffer need” – Phil. 4:11-12.

Thank God for deliverance from the materialistic attitude that abounds in Christendom today. Their doctrine of equating gain with godliness sows seeds of discontentment among those ignorant of divine provisions. This teaching never makes one rich toward God. We are well admonished that “having food and raiment let us therewith be content” – I Tim. 6:8. Those who seek first “things above,” have these and much more added unto them. Oh yes! It will soon be universally evident that Godliness with contentment is great gain. Only as we find full satisfaction in Jesus Christ will we ever come into any real greatness.

Confidence: In return for her kindness Elisha promised this childless woman, that she would have a son, and the Lord fulfilled that promise. Later when the child became old enough to go out to the field, he went out to his father, to the reapers. One day while out with his father he said “My head, my head,” then his father sent him to his mother. “He sat on her knees till noon, and he died,” She took him to the guest room and laid him on Elisha’s bed, She then told her husband that she wanted to hurry to the man of God, and return, Her husband questioned her, and she answered; “It shall be well.”

When she came near, Elisha saw her and sent his servant to question her; Is it well with thee? Is it well with thy husband? Is it well with the child? And she answered, “It is well.” What an overcomer, she didn’t submit to circumstances. Her great faith was like that of Abraham, who believed God, “Who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things that be not as though they were” – Rom. 4:17. She expressed the confidence of triumphant faith. In verse 30 of II Kings 4, we read; “And the mother of the child said, As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. And he arose and followed her.” “When Elisha was come into the house behold the child was dead, and laid upon his bed. He went in therefore, and shut the door upon them twain, and prayed unto the Lord: – Vs. 32-33. The Lord eventually restored him to life.

It was interesting to me that the place that she had prepared for another became the place she took her son for healing. We also read that several years later, after famine had driven her from the land for seven years that she was spoken for to the king by Elisha. “And it came to pass, as he was telling the king how he had restored a dead body to life, behold, the woman, whose son he had restored to life, cried unto the king for her house and for her land. And Elisha’s servant said, “My lord, O king, this is the woman, and this is her son, whom Elisha restored to life. And when the king asked the woman, she told him. So the king appointed unto her a certain officer, Restore all that was hers, and all the fruits of the field since the day that she left the land, even until now” – II Kings 8:3-6.

The Apostle wrote, “being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Christ” – Phil. 1:6. We are also encouraged with this promise, “Cast not away your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry” – Heb. 10:355-36.
by J. D.
THE LAST DAYS


Anita Clark

"Surely the LORD GOD will do nothing, but He revealeth his secrets unto His servants the prophets. The lion hath roared, who will not fear? The LORD GOD hath spoken, who can but prophesy?" Amos 3:7-8.

God always gave signs to the human race of whatever He was about to do. He has not changed today! He has given His Word which is full of signs of the future of what He is about to do? We need to heed the signs.

THE SIGN TO NOAH - Genesis 9:13-17 - The rainbow was given to Noah as a "sign" of the covenant which God made to never destroy the earth again with water. Each time we see the rainbow in the sky, we know that God’s promise is sure and steadfast. He will always keep His word to us.

THE SIGN TO ABRAHAM - is found in Genesis 18:17, "Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do?" This was regarding God’s intention to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah, those great sinful cities. Lot, the nephew of Abraham, lived in Sodom. God told Abraham of His purpose in wiping these wicked cities off the face of the earth. This is what God is getting ready to do today to this wicked world. Nahum the prophet spoke by the unction of the Holy Spirit, "God is jealous, and the LORD revengeth; the LORD revengeth and is furious; the LORD will take vengeance on His adversaries, and He reserveth wrath for His enemies. The LORD is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not acquit the wicked." Nahum 1:2-3.

THE SIGNS GIVEN TO MOSES - God gave Moses signs to perform to cause the people of Israel, who were in bondage to the Egyptians to follow him. There were three signs given: Exodus 4 - 1. The rod that became a serpent VS. 2-4, 2. The leprous hand. VS. 6-8. And 3. The river water to turn to blood. VS. 9. Verse 8 says, "And it shall come to pass, if they will not believe thee, neither hearken to the voice of the first sign, that they will believe the voice of the latter sign." When God gives a sign, He expects mankind to "hearken" (to hear and obey) to the "voice of the sign." The sign speaks to us; it has a voice. The word "sign" in the Old Testament means, "a signal, a beacon, token or evidence."

THE SIGN GIVEN TO HEZEKIAH, KING OF JUDAH - II Kings 20:1-11, Hezekiah became sick, and Isaiah prophesied that he would die. The king prayed to be spared from death, and God spoke through Isaiah again that Hezekiah would live. VS. 6 -7 "I will heal thy tears; behold I will heal thee; ...And I will add unto thy days fifteen years." Hezekiah asked for a "sign" that it was so, which brought about the miracle of the sundial being turned back 15 degrees. The "sign" was fulfilled just exactly in that way.

THE SIGNS OF THE FIRST COMING OF MESSIAH - God made sure that there were plenty of "signs" to let Israel know how to recognize their Messiah. Isaiah 7:11, "Ask thee a sign of the LORD thy God; ask it either in the depth, or in the height above." These are some of the signs which God gave: 1. Isaiah 7:11-14 - "Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son and shall call His name Immanuel." 2. Isaiah 11:1-5 - "And there shall come forth a rod (Shoot) out of Jesse and a Branch out of his roots. (Speaking of how Christ would come of the linage of David, Jesse’s son" 3. “But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose going forth have been from of old, from everlasting." Jesus was born a direct descendant of King David. There are so many other signs that God gave that had Israel been open hearted, they would have known that Jesus was their Messiah the first time he came. The majority did not "listen to the voice of the sign" speaking to them.

OLD TESTAMENT PROPHETS - were instructed by God to act out various things to speak to Israel of coming judgment. Not many heeded the signs of the prophets, but some did, though Israel and Judah were carried away into captivity. Ezekiel, was a prophet which God asked to "act out" the prophecy he was given. Ezekiel 4:3, He was told to lie on his side and using an iron skillet to pretend to fight against the pan and besiege it, as a sign that God would bring judgment on Israel. Ezekiel 24:24, "Thus Ezekiel is unto you a sign according to all that he hath done shall ye do; and when this cometh, ye shall know that I am the LORD GOD. "

"WHAT SHALL BE THE SIGNS OF THY COMING AND THE END OF THE WORLD (AGE)."- Matthew 24:3. Mankind is without excuse before God. Jesus told of the "signs of His coming," exactly what we are to expect before He returns. These are listed beginning with Matthew 24:4-51. The list goes on: "many deceivers, wars and rumours of wars, famines, pestilences (diseases- such as Ebola, SARS, and HIV), earthquakes, betrayal of one another, iniquity (sinfulness) abounding. II Timothy 3:2-5 gives us another list. Read these items - see if they do or do not fit our world today.

ISIS fighting in Iraq and Hamas fighting Israel are signs to us of the coming tribulation. An event has happened in Israel that shows God’s hand of protection over His chosen people even though the majority of them are not believers in Him. An event reported in several newspapers and from news agencies, "Hand of God prevents rocket from striking its target: "An Israeli Iron Dome operator is claiming that he witnessed ‘the hand of God’ diverting an incoming Hamas rocket into the sea. The commander claims that the divine intervention stopped the death of hundreds of Israeli citizens. The commander had fired twice at the missile and it did not work

and was headed for a highly populated building. He made an emergency call to get people out as quickly as possible. The news account says the commander said, "Suddenly, Iron Dome (which calculates wind speeds, among other things) shows a major wind coming from the east, a strong wind that sends the missile into the Sea. We were all stunned. I stood up and shouted, ‘There is a God!’ God would do these kind of things for the people whom He foreknew as His "Chosen Ones." He wants them to come to a saving knowledge of Him. After the tribulation, those who are left of Israel will look up and seeing their Messiah coming in "power and great glory" will receive Him as their Lord and Saviour.

More and More as events unfold around the world, I am made to feel in my spirit that Jesus Christ is coming at any moment, before the tribulation to remove His dear ones who are watching and waiting for Him. Jesus repeatedly said, "Watch and pray." He promises to the Philadelphia church in Revelation 3:10, that "Because thou hast kept the word of My patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation (tribulation - referring to the seven coming years) which shall come upon the world to try them that dwell upon the earth." Let us be overcomers in our present circumstances. God is faithful and will perform all that He has promised us. Look up, weary pilgrim! "For yet a little while, and He that shall come will come, and will not tarry" (Hebrews 10:37).

Apostle Paul says in Romans 13:12, "The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.”
It Just Doesn't Make Sense


“But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” 1 Corinthians 2:14

It often happens that someone wants to apply some spiritual truth to unbelievers, and they seem surprised that the unbeliever does not care or even seem to understand. There are marvelous truths in God’s Word, but they are not accessible to the unbeliever. The only truth we need to share with unbelievers is the gospel of good news that Jesus saves.

There is a tendency among Christians to want to apply Biblical standards to everyone. They seem surprised that unbelievers don't seem to want to live by Biblical guidelines and don't want to be ruled by Biblical standards. Again, we need to recognize that our message to the unbeliever is the need for a Savior, not the need for a standard or a moral guideline.

Things that make perfect sense to the believer, will seem like foolishness to the unbeliever. If they cannot yet accept the message of the cross, how will they understand the deeper truths of God's Word.

We certainly have to recognize that we would not have any true level of understanding of God's Word except by revelation of the Holy Spirit. How often the Holy Spirit opens up to us some truth from a passage we have read many times before. It's not that we became more intelligent, but the Holy Spirit builds truth upon truth, constantly revealing deeper truth as we go deeper in our relationship with our Lord.

While we cannot expect unbelievers to understand or appreciate God's Word, it is a real tragedy when believers seem to have little or no interest in understanding God's Word. There are some churches that would like their people to think that only the clergy can understand the Word and then only they can convey that understanding to the people. God intended for all His children to be able to understand. For this purpose, He gave us His Holy Spirit.

When we come across something in our study of God's Word that just doesn't seem to make sense, we need to look to the Holy Spirit to give us understanding.

Unfortunately, we find those that wish to only hear and understand what they like. They prefer to understand and interpret God's Word to fit what they want it to say. "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears" 2 Timothy 4:3. God's Word is not supposed to conform to our ideas or expectations.

 We would be wise to ask and allow God to reveal His Word to us in truth. It just makes sense.

Gordon Crook

RUTH

Debra Isenbletter


Ruth 2:11 – “And Boaz answered and said unto her, It hath fully been shewed me, all that thou hast done unto thy mother in law since the death of thine husband: and how thou hast left thy father and thy mother, and the land of thy nativity, and art come unto a people which thou knewest not heretofore.”

In this verse we see Boaz’s answer to Ruth’s question of “Why have I found grace (favor)?” Boaz describes the sacrifices that Ruth has made. He begins with saying: “It hath fully been shewed me,” he is saying “I have been made fully aware of all you have done” (Amplified); “I have been told all about what you have done.” (NIV). There is an emphasis on what he knows, and that it is a full knowledge. The word “fully” means “to explain, to report,” “to stand boldly out” and “to praise.” This report of Ruth caused her to “stand boldly out” and what she did caused others to “praise her.” Before Boaz even met her, before he saw her, he knew her! He knew of her and he knew about her! The question is, who showed Boaz this? First of all, Boaz had heard from others about Ruth, people were talking! But I believe Boaz had a second witness, a witness from God. Boaz had an assurance about Ruth that went beyond what others said. Man can tell some things and miss a lot, but God knew all the details. I believe that God showed Boaz the heart of Ruth before he even met her. This gave him an absolute assurance, he could say “It hath fully been showed me.”

Boaz makes some wonderful statements concerning what Ruth had done. He sees how she has blessed Naomi when he says: “all that thou hast done unto thy mother in law” – He knew everything! He knew what she said and what she did when she had come back with Naomi (1:14-19), He knew what she had been doing before she came to his field, that she had been caring for and comforting Naomi. He knew why she had come to his field, it was to provide for Naomi. Ruth had made a commitment to Naomi and God and now it was brought to light. In Ruth we see a wonderful fulfilment of the scripture: “Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.” (Ps 37:5-6) We may think that no one ever sees what we do or what we say, that we are unknown or unobserved and yet there are eyes watching us all the time: The Lord’s eyes, the world’s eyes, the saint’s eyes. Nothing we ever do for the Lord will ever be unnoticed, if it is not noticed here, it will be declared in eternity.

Notice the depth of the compliment, it is similar to the word “fully,” it is the word “all.” Boaz knew everything, he knew “all” that she had done and “all” that she had said. He knew that everything she did was because she loved Naomi and God. He knew what she was willing to sacrifice for that love. He knew everything that she had lost, that it was a great loss and at great cost. She had lost her husband: “since the death of thine husband.” She had left her family: “and how thou hast left thy father and thy mother.” She had left her country: “and the land of thy nativity (birth place, native country).” The word “fully” refers not only to what Boaz sees of Ruth’s outward actions but her inward attitude. She has fully surrendered. She has fully sacrificed. She has fully served. This is the testimony of the overcomer. The Psalmist writes concerning the testimony of the king’s bride that she forgot her own people and her father’s house (Ps 45:10) and because of this that the king greatly desired her beauty (Ps 45:11). This is the testimony of a disciple, the one who has heard Jesus’ call to “Follow me” and hearing it has “left all” and “followed him” (Lk 5:27-28).

Ruth left all, she left everything and followed Naomi and that journey led her to Boaz. Boaz describes her losses, and those were losses, they were things that caused her sorrow, but there is one thing that she did that would bring her joy, one thing that would make all the difference. Boaz tells her what she came unto after she let go of those things: “thou art come unto a people.” She came in by faith, just as she came out by faith: “which thou knewest not heretofore.” She had no idea of what to expect, the people were unknown to her, all she knew of them was her contact with Naomi and her family. She is like Abraham, Paul says “By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed, and he went out, not knowing whither he went.” (Heb 11:8). He walked by faith, Ruth walked by faith, the Bride walks by faith. We step out into the unknown because by faith we see that there is a promise for us and we embrace that promise and the reality keeps our feet on that course set before us. The reality of that promise is our Boaz!

Ruth’s loss is only temporary, she would gain everything back and even more! She lost a family (hers) but gained a family (Naomi’s). She lost a country (Moab) but gained a country (Judah). She lost a husband (Mahlon) but would gain a husband (Boaz). Boaz sees her sacrifice, he sees her works, just like Jesus sees our works. The promises of the Word of God are so precious and comforting to those, who like Ruth, step out in faith into the unknown to claim the promises of God. The Lord “knoweth the way of the righteous” (Ps 1:6); The Lord will not “forget your work and labor of love” (Heb 6:10). The Lord knows our works: “I know your works” (Rev 2:2,9,13,19; Rev 3:1,8,15)

The Feasts of The Lord

Leviticus 23 – Part 7

by Earlene Davis

The Feast of Tabernacles

Vs. 33-34, “And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 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.”

This is the last of the seven feast of the Lord. It is also called the “Feast of Booths” or “Feast of Ingathering” and is known in Hebrew as Succoth. Being the final fall harvest festival, it is a time of ingathering at Jerusalem and also a memorial of the shelter God provided the Israelites in the wilderness.

Vs. 35-44, “On the first day shall be an holy convocation: 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. These are the feasts of the LORD, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, to offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD, a burnt offering, and a meat offering, a sacrifice, and drink offerings, every thing upon his day: Beside the sabbaths of the LORD, and beside your gifts, and beside all your vows, and beside all your freewill offerings, which ye give unto the LORD. 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. And ye shall take you on the first day the boughs of goodly trees, branches of palm trees, and the boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook; and ye shall rejoice before the LORD your God seven days. And ye shall keep it a feast unto the LORD seven days in the year. It shall be a statute for ever in your generations: ye shall celebrate it in the seventh month. Ye shall dwell in booths seven days; all that are Israelites born shall dwell in booths: That your generations may know that I made the children of Israel to dwell in booths, when I brought them out of the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God. And Moses declared unto the children of Israel the feasts of the LORD.”

This was truly a feasting time, of joy and song, for there was no work performed for eight days. The first day was a sabbath and the last day was a sabbath. A time when Israel began to gather in the produce of the land for which they thanked the Lord. It was somewhat like our thanksgiving day, except it lasted a week. Our camp meetings might answer to it, except Tabernacles was on a larger scale. The devout Jews built little shelters outside their houses and worshiped in them and lived in them during this eight-day festival. Even today some Jewish people build little huts and decorate them with tree boughs and autumn fruit to remind them of harvest.

In Jesus day, everyone in Israel who was able, came up to Jerusalem for this very joyous festival every year. Jesus not only celebrated it, but took the traditional elements of water and light. He used them to help the people understand who He is and what He offers. Jn. 7 & 8.

The Temple worship for this holiday included the ritual pouring of water from the pool of Siloam, symbolic of the prayers for the winter rains which were so vital for the preservation of life. At this time Jesus cried out, “…If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified)” Jn. 7:37-39. As the rain falls to nourish the crops, so the Holy Spirit (Ruach ha Kodesh) refreshes us and causes us to grow spiritually. All those refreshing streams were stored up in Christ Himself.

At the end of the first day of the feast, the Temple was gloriously illuminated. Four gigantic candelabras were lit and the Temple being on a hill above the city, the glorious glow was a light for the entire city to see. The light was to remind the people how God’s Shekinah glory had once filled His Temple. In the person of Jesus, God’s glory was again present in that Temple. Again He used that celebration to declare to all who were gathered there, “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” Jn. 8:12.

Today in Jerusalem there is a municipal shelter provided near the Jaffa Gate for the whole city to celebrate this feast of Tabernacles each year. Even though the majority of the people in Israel are secular, yet Tabernacles is a time when the nation pauses for a time of joy, celebration and thanksgiving. The public schools are closed and many business and government offices are closed. Let us pray for the Jewish people that more will come to know the One of whom all the festival speaks.

After Israel’s final Day of Atonement, this Feast of Tabernacles will again be celebrated. Zech. 14:16-19, “And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles.  And it shall be, that whoso will not come up of all the families of the earth unto Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, even upon them shall be no rain. And if the family of Egypt go not up, and come not, that have no rain; there shall be the plague, wherewith the LORD will smite the heathen that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles. This shall be the punishment of Egypt, and the punishment of all nations that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles.”

What a joyous assembly that will be. The repentant, converted and restored Israel under the rulership of THE KING will celebrate like never before. They will commemorate the years of their exile, but they will also remember the Lord their Messiah and King who will have made their restoration possible. They will wave palm-branches and shout, “Hosanna to the Son of David. Blessed is He who cometh in the Name of the Lord.” They will remember His mercy and thank Him at the feast.

Ezek. 37:26-28, “Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them: and I will place them, and multiply them, and will set my sanctuary in the midst of them for evermore. My tabernacle also shall be with them: yea, I will be their God, and they shall be my people. And the heathen shall know that I the LORD do sanctify Israel, when my sanctuary shall be in the midst of them for evermore.” Natural and spiritual blessing shall fall upon Israel, their feast of Tabernacles will fully come to them.

Notice, in verse 34 that the feast was for seven days. It was followed with an eighth day (V. 36) which was the greatest day of the feast yet not a part of the seven, but a day apart. It symbolizes a new day, the eighth, when old things are done away with and all things are new. Revelation 21:3-6 tells of the eternal state after the seventh dispensation, the Kingdom Age.

God set these feasts to picture the entire career of the Messiah. The first three  (the crucifixion, burial and resurrection) occurred very close together. Then a pause before the coming of the Holy Spirit. Then a long pause before the rapture of the church. The Day of Atonement will end tribulation days for Israel, then following will be Tabernacles.

Passover and Tabernacles are the only feasts that Israel will continue to celebrate during the millennium. Passover represents the Lord’s first coming as the Lamb foreordained before the foundation of the world to suffer and die for the sins of mankind. They will never forget the cross where their own Kinsman-Redeemer shed His blood for them They will truly then understand the real significance of Passover. Tabernacles represents the second advent of Christ when the nation will come into and enjoy all the blessings that are theirs because of the death of Christ. For one thousand years they will enjoy the spoils of Calvary. The ingathering will have taken place. The harvest will have come to them, both naturally and spiritually.
The end