The Biblical Feasts of Hebrews 6

The Biblical “Feasts” of Hebrews 6!

“beyond the preliminary teachings about the Messiah”

Chapter 6 Preview: Does the book of Hebrews—directed to a Jewish audience—use “encoded language” to tie the “preliminary principles about the Messiah” directly to Israel’s seven annual Biblical Days? This chapter makes the case, using a familiar apostolic text, that the Biblical Days actually epitomize Yeshua’s ultimate objectives, with a primary emphasis on the Last Day—the Eighth Day!

Hebrews Chapter 6 begins by mentioning the “preliminary principles about the Messiah”. It also mentions that they are directed toward those who have been “immersed” [baptized], (your Greek based versions substitute “enlightened”), and it mentions “the gift from Heaven” and “wonderful Words of Aloha [Elohim] and the powers of the age to come”. This is definitely not concerning fringe areas! These topics are “the foundation” of the Assembly of God—the trunk of the tree. The seven principles listed in Hebrews 6 happen to form a thumbnail sketch of the ultimate meaning of the Biblical Days, as they relate to the eternity of humanity, and they are all in consecutive order! Yet since it is only a sketch, only one salvational aspect of each day is addressed. (For far more than a thumbnail see Israel’s Biblical Days.)

If the following quotation sounds like a sketch of the Biblical Days then dont bother with reading this chapter. However, since I’ve been reading about the Biblical Days since 1967, and have never come across this concept, let’s consider these seven fundamental principles, one at a time, with the Biblical Days in mind:

Hebrews 6:1-2 [1] So let’s be advancing beyond the preliminary teachings about the Messiah, and let’s move toward spiritual perfection. [2] Why lay another foundation by turning away from spiritually dead works again, [3] and basic faith in Yehovah, 2 including [4] the doctrine of immersion [baptism], [5] and the laying on of hands, [6] and the resurrection of the dead, [7] and of eternal judgment. —Gabriel Version

These two verses, matter of fact and in passing, cover the entire plan of redemption, as pictured by the Biblical Days! Let’s look at them one at a time:

[1] PASSOVER evening and the First Day of Unleavened Bread represents our “MOVE TOWARD SPIRITUAL PERFECTION”. This is the very reason for the Passover. Yeshua was the perfect sacrificial Lamb. We are to examine ourselves by comparing ourselves to the perfect standard—Yeshua the Messiah:

Hebrews 5:8-9 Even tho He was the Son, He still learned to be submissive, from the fear and sufferings He endured. 9 So, He was perfected [as in John 17:23] and became the source of our eternal Life, for everyone who submits to Him. GV

Matthew 5:48 So become perfect; just as your Heavenly Father is perfect. GV

We certainly cant be perfect in this life, but we can in the next!

Every year at the Passover we should consider the following words that Yeshua spoke immediately before He was sacrificed:

John 17:23 I in them, and You in Me; so that they will be perfected into one; and so that the world can know that You sent Me, and that You loved them, just as You loved Me. GV

The process of becoming perfect will not be completed until we are “ONE” with Yeshua. (John 17:21) This is comparable to when “The first man Adam became a living being”, but his imperfection necessitated a restoration of life.

1 Corinthians 15:45 ... The second Adam became a Spirit who restores Life. GV

Hebrews 11:39-40 None of these honorable witnesses received their promised blessings; 40 because Yehovah has determined that it is better that they not be made PERFECT and complete [immortal] beings without [ahead of] us. GV

As explained in Israel’s Seven Apocalyptic Days, all of the Biblical Days foreshadow “the good things to come”—in the future, they picture seven prophetic events. These good things to come are about a perfect plan.

Hebrews 10:1 The Torah contains a foreshadowing of the good things to come. They arent an exact likeness of the things themselves. So, altho the same sacrifices are offered every year, they can never make those who offer them completely perfect. GV

Hebrews 9:11 But when the Messiah came, He was a High Priest with a gift that is truly a gift. He entered into a greater and more perfect tabernacle, that wasnt made by human hands, and wasnt part of the same creation. GV

God wants for us to be spiritual perfectionists!

[2] THE SEVENTH DAY OF UNLEAVENED BREAD corresponds to when we “TURN AWAY FROM SPIRITUALLY DEAD WORKS”. Prior to the Days of Unleavened Bread we removed the leaven, symbolic of sin or “spiritually dead works”, from every dusty corner of our lives. At the Passover we made a binding commitment with God to strive for perfection. As we progress thru the next seven days we are on the lookout for overlooked leaven lurking in our lives. This pictures our personal Exodus away from the dead works of spiritual Egypt, as we march toward the Promised Land. We make good on our sacred immersion commitments. During these seven special days of the year, we make an even greater effort to overcome sin. Symbolically, by the close of this period, that represents our lives, we will literally be born into the spirit realm—if we remain faithful, continually turning from dead works.

Hebrews 9:14-15 ... then how much more will the blood of the Messiah, who thru the eternal spirit offered Himself without blemish to Yehovah, cleanse our conscience from spiritually DEAD WORKS, so that we can serve the living Aloha? 15 This is why He became the Mediator of the New Covenant—so that by means of His death, He could become the ransom payment for those who had transgressed the first covenant, so that those who are called to the eternal inheritance, could receive the promise. GV

The phrase “spiritually dead works” is similar to what is expressed by James:

James 2:20-22 Bear in mind, you spiritually destitute person, that faith without WORKS is DEAD? 21 Wasnt Abraham our ancestor made righteous by works, in offering his son Isaac on the altar? 22 Dont you see that his faith was aided by his works; and that by works his faith was PERFECTED? GV

When you “Amend your ways” it results in “faith”, and that leads to “immersion”.

Acts 2:38 ...“Amend your ways, and be immersed, every one of you in the name of the Master Yeshua, for the remission of sins [spiritually dead works]; so that you can receive the gift of the sacred spirit... GV

Striving for perfection is the message of Unleavened Bread.

1 Corinthians 5:6-8 Your boasting isnt good. Dont you know that a little leaven [dead works] leavens the whole mix of dough? 7 Clean out your old leaven so that you can be a new mix of dough [that is, strive for perfection], as you are unleavened. The Messiah, our Passover, was sacrificed in our place. 8 So let’s celebrate the Feast, not with the old leaven, or with the leaven of wickedness and bitterness, but with the unleavened bread of purity and sanctity. GV

On a much larger scale, turning from spiritually dead works is what God is going to cause the twelve Israelite nations to do just before they enter the New Promised Land, during the Second Exodus. God will make a New Covenant with His people. Any rebels who are unwilling to change (repent) will be purged out.

MAKE NO MISTAKE, the following passage is prophetic. It specifically says that it will be a time not unlike when God brought Israel out of Egypt, thousands of years ago. God will plead with Americans, Brits, Aussies, Canadians etc. in a wilderness area of the Sacred Land! Notice:

Ezekiel 20:34-38 I will bring you out from the people, and gather you out of the countries where you were scattered, with a mighty hand, and with an outstretched arm, and with wrath poured out; 35 and I will bring you into the wilderness [as in Revelation 12:6] of the people, and there I will enter into judgment with you face to face. 36 Like when I entered into judgment with your ancestors in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, that is how I will enter into judgment with you, says Adonay Yehovah. 37 I will cause you to pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the [New] Covenant; 38 and I will purge out from among you the rebels, and those who disobey Me; I will bring them out of the land where they were temporarily, but they wont enter into the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am Yehovah. —The Word of Elohim, Gabriel Version (WE)

The significance of the seven days is also associated with the seven millennial days in a perfect plan.

[3] PENTECOST corresponds to “Faith in Yehovah”: Receiving the sacred spirit is what the Day of Pentecost, recorded in Acts 2, is remembered for. But there is much more to the story!

Acts 2:1-6 When the days of Pentecost were fully counted, while they were all assembled together, 2 a sudden sound came from the sky, like a violent wind. The whole house where they were sitting was filled with it. 3 Flaming tongues of fire appeared to them that were divided, and rested on every one of them. 4 They were all filled with the sacred spirit, and began to speak in various languages, as the spirit inspired them to speak. 5 Now there were Jews residing in Jerusalem who revered Yehovah from every nation under the sky. 6 When the noise was heard, they all huddled together in bewilderment, because everyone heard them speaking in their own language. GV

Question: What was the difference between the Jews who were “filled with the sacred spirit” and those who “revered Yehovah”, but who were in bewilderment? Answer: It was their “faith in Yehovah”. Some of these Jews mockingly said, “They have been drinking new wine, and are intoxicated”. But Peter assured them that it was only the third hour of the day and, unlike today, people patiently waited until the evening to get drunk. I believe that when Peter and John later healed the lame man on the ninth hour of the day, it was the same day.

Acts 3:16 By FAITH in His name, He has strengthened and healed this man, who you see and know; and FAITH in Him has given the man this perfect health, as you can all see. GV

Our faith should lead us to perfect spiritual soundness! The survivors of the Great Tribulation against Israel will have learned to have faith in God. You know what they say about foxholes. As was the case in ancient Israel, when the people enter the New Promised Land they will become “Yehovah’s people”. Pentecost, for these early Believers was still about entering the coming “resurrected” Promised Land—and it still is! Had ancient Israel gone directly to the Promised land, as originally planned, without the 40 year layover, they should have arrived on Pentecost, since they left the Sinai wilderness “On the twentieth day of the second month” (Numbers 10:11-13), and it is about “eleven days’ journey from Horeb by the way of Mount Seir to Kadeshbarnea” (Deuteronomy 1:2).

The second entry into the Promised Land will be much like the first one, minus the 40 years:

Deuteronomy 27:2-3,9 It will be on the day when you’ll pass over the Jordan to the land that Yehovah your Elohim gives you, that you’ll set yourself up great stones, and plaster them with plaster; 3 and you’ll write on them all the words of this Torah, after you’ve passed over; so that youcan go into the land that Yehovah your Elohim is giving you, a land flowing with milk and honey, as Yehovah, the Elohim of your ancestors, has promised you. 9 Moses and the priests the Levites spoke to all Israel, saying, “Keep silence, and listen, Israel; today you have become the people of Yehovah your Elohim. WE

[4] THE DAY OF TRUMPETS represents “Immersion” (baptism) and resurrection. Here’s how. Immersion specifically symbolizes the death and resurrection of the Saints. When you are dunked you are being symbolically buried, as well as washing away sins, but when you are lifted up, that symbolizes your own resurrection. Immersion begins the chain of events, that, including the laying on of hands, will prepare you for your life long journey, leading directly to the fulfillment of The Day of Trumpets! “The resurrection of life” will enable us to be present for “The Great and Awesome Day of Yehovah”, described by Joel, that will follow almost immediately. This resurrection is exclusively for Saints.

1 Corinthians 15:51-53 See, I’ll explain to you a mystery; we’ll not all die, but we’ll all be transformed. 52 In the smallest possible fraction of a second [atomos], at the last [seventh] TRUMPET; the TRUMPET will sound, and the dead will be RAISED [resurrected] imperishable, and we will be transformed. 53 This perishable must be clothed with the imperishable; and this mortal must be clothed with immortality. GV

Now let’s back up to verse 35:

Vs.35-44 But someone will ask, “How are the dead raised? And what kind of body will they return with”? 36 Foolish man! The seed you sow wont germinate unless it dies first. 37 What you sow is not the body that will be, but a naked seed of wheat or barley, or another grain. ... 42 That is how it is in the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable, but what is raised will never decay. 43 They are sown in dishonor, they rise in brightness; they are sown in weakness, they will rise in power; 44 it is sown a physical body, it is raised [resurrected] a spiritual body. There is a physical body, and there is a spiritual body. GV

At immersion, a spiritual body becomes our future hope!

[5] THE DAY OF ATONEMENTS corresponds to “Laying on of hands”. There are only a few references to the laying on of hands in Bible. The Day of Atonements is one prominent instance. The lightly concealed symbolism of Leviticus 16 depicts an astounding event:

Leviticus 16:21 Aaron will lay both of his hands on the head of the live goat, and confess over him all of the iniquities of the descendant’s of Israel, and all their transgressions—all their sins; and he will put them on the head of the goat, and send him away into the wilderness by the hand of a man who is in readiness. GV

This is where Herbert Armstrong got way off track. So far as I know, he was the first person in centuries to promote Messianic meanings for the Feast Days, but he taught that the atoning goat represented Satan. What an appalling misinterpretation! Satan has nothing to do with the atonement of sin!

Yeshua is the symbolic goat here as well. Both goats and lambs served this purpose. Goats are often symbolic of evil. For a time, our Savior was burdened with all of the evil of humanity, past present and perhaps into the future! His blood was shed for us. The goat that was sacrificed represents Yeshua’s sacrifice, but the live goat represents the living Messiah!

On what day of the year was Yeshua immersed?

All three accounts have Yeshua being “led” out into the wilderness immediately after being immersed, and presumably having John’s hands laid on him.

Yeshua was immersed on the Day of Atonements immediately before being banished into the wilderness!

Herbert Armstrong’s highly promoted teachings of the Feast Days made a left turn with the Azazel goat and stayed off track right thru the eighth day. That interpretation has now spread far beyond his original followers.

Leviticus 16:5-15 He will take from the congregation of the children of Israel two male goats for a sin offering ... 7 He will take the two goats, and set them before Yehovah at the door of the Sacred Tent ... 15 “Then he will kill the goat of the sin offering, that is for the people, and bring his blood within the veil ... —The Word of Elohim, Gabriel Version (WE)

The living Yeshua is the Atonement for our iniquities!

1 John 2:2 He IS the atoning sacrifice for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for the entire world. GV

Acts 3:26 You were the first people that Yehovah has sent His Son to bless. But you must amend your wicked ways”. GV

Yeshua died as an atonement for our sins—yet He lives. But leave Satan out of this.

The Day of Atonements alludes to reconciliation with Yehovah for those who are still alive at the end of the age. It’s about both “iniquities” and “mercy”! Breaking into the thought:

Leviticus 16:15-16 “ ... and sprinkle [1] on the mercy seat, and before the mercy seat; 16 and he’ll make atonement for the Dedicated Place, because of the uncleanness of the descendants of Israel, and because of their rebellion, and all their sins; and so he’ll do for the Devout Tent, that is among them along with their impurities. WE

[1] Each of us is responsible for a sprinkling of Yeshua’s shed blood. When John the Immerser saw Yeshua, he said:

John 1:29 ... “Look, the Lamb of Yehovah, who takes away the sins of the world! GV

Today, Yeshua is pictured as a perfect Lamb.

There is a lot more to the comparison between Leviticus 16 and the dialog that that was begun in Hebrews 6. This chapter in Hebrews ends making reference to “behind the veil”. Notice:

Hebrews 6:19 This anticipation is like an anchor that retains our psyche [psuche], firmly and stabily; allowing entrance to the Sacred Place behind the veil ... GV

Chapter 7 continues the comparison of the old covenant and the new one, with the emphasis on Melchizedek, (who became Yeshua). There is a connection between the Day of Atonements, with the Azazel goat set free, and the Sacrificial goat—our Passover, that was killed. The bottom line is this:

Hebrews 7:26-27 This is the kind of Priest we need to stand before us; one pure and innocent, one separated from wickedness, and exalted higher than the Heavens; 27 One who doesnt need to offer sacrifices daily, like other high priests, first for his own sins [as in Leviticus 16], and then for the sins of the people. He did this once and for all, when He sacrificed Himself. GV

There is, of course, contemporary instruction about the laying on of hands. The power of the sacred spirit can be so dramatic that even an anti Messiah can become jealous:

Acts 8:18-19 When Simon [the sorcerer] saw that by the laying on of hands of the envoys, the sacred spirit was given, he offered them money, 19 and asked, “Give me this power, so that whoever I lay hands on will receive the sacred spirit”. GV

The laying on of hands is the next step following our acceptance of the Lamb of God who takes away our sins, preparatory to our future resurrection!

On a national level, the Day of Atonements is “a memorial” to the day when Israel makes atonement for thousands of years of rebellion!

Exodus 30:16 You’ll take the atonement money from the descendants of Israel, and appropriate it for the service of the Devout Tent; so that it will serve as a memorial for the descendants of Israel before Yehovah, to make atonement for yourselves”. WE

Matthew 4:1 and Luke 4:1 both mention that Yeshua was “led” into the wilderness.

Search Gods Word describes the word led, used by Matthew and Luke, as being primarily in reference to an animal:

“to lead by laying hold of, and this way to bring to the point of destination: of an animal”

However Mark is even more plain:

Mark 1:12 Immediately the spirit banished Him into the wilderness. GV

This is the actual enactment of the Azazel goat—Yeshua the Lamb of Aloha, being banished into the wilderness on the very Day of Atonements!

[6] The First Day of FEAST OF TABERNACLES is represented in Hebrews 6 by the phrase “The resurrection of the dead”. But remember that on Trumpets we had immersion which is obviously symbolic of not only burial, but far more importantly RESURRECTION! So why is there a specific mention of Resurrection as point number 6? The answer is that there is more than one resurrection! There is to be a resurrection of the Saints prior to this, notice:

1 Thessalonians 4:15 We declare this to you on the Master’s own authority, that we who survive and are alive, at the coming of our Master, will not precede those who have fallen asleep [into the Kingdom]. 16 Because our Master will personally come down from Heaven, with a mandate, and with a voice like the chief Messenger, and with Yehovah’s trumpet; and the dead who belong to the Messiah, will rise FIRST. 17 Then, we who are still alive, having survived, will be carried away together with them into the clouds, to meet our Master in the lower atmosphere; and this is how we will accompany our Master forever. GV

Here is another reference to this event:

Revelation 20:6 Blessed and sacred is anyone who has part in this FIRST resurrection; over them the second death has no influence; but they will be priests of Yehovah and of His Messiah; and they will reign with Them during the thousand years. GV

(So of logical necessity there is at least one more resurrection to follow. That is the topic of the Last Day.)

The ignorant people of the world will be awakened to the knowledge of God as the millennium begins during the Feast of Tabernacles! For many, it will be a rude awakening:

Zechariah 14:16-19 Then everyone who survives, from all the nations that came against Jerusalem, will go up from year to year to worship the King, Yehovah, leader of His army, and to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles. 17 At that time, whichever of all the families of the earth dont come up to Jerusalem to worship the King, Yehovah, leader of His army, there will be no rain for them. 18 If the family of Egypt doesnt come, and doesnt come up, they wont receive any rain. This will be the plague that Yehovah will strike the nations with that dont come up to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles. 19 This will be the punishment of Egypt, and the punishment of all the nations that dont go up to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles. WE

The righteous will soon have a glorious “Tabernacle”—the New Jerusalem, right here with us, putting the “TABERNACLE” in “THE FEAST OF TABERNACLES!” The seven days also represent the entire seven millennia plan. At the establishment of the Everlasting Kingdom, people will be resurrected from the dead to become immortal Sons of God. Spirit born people from every past generation will be celebrating the Feast of Tabernacles, and as will be explained in the commentary about the “Last Day”, will be enjoying the New Jerusalem together—right away!

But on an annual scale, rather than a millennial scale, it represents the final seven years of Daniel 9, just prior to an eighth year: “It is the day of the Yehovah’s vengeance, and the year of compensation for the fight over Zion.” (Isaiah 34:8 WE).

The marriage of Israel to God, some of the first good news in a very long time, is like in the ancient legends. The Hero, riding on a white horse, shows up at the last minute to save the King’s virgin daughter from the dragon—killing it with a sword (Isaiah 27:1), then he marries the bride.

Isaiah 62:4 You will no longer be called Forsaken; nor will your land be termed Desolate any more; but you will be called ‘Hephzibah’ [Literally “My delight is in her”], and your land ‘Beulah’ [Literally: to marry]; for Yehovah delights in you, and your land will be married. WE

Our backsliding Israelite brethren from all twelve tribes will be singled out and spared!

Jeremiah 3:14 Return, backsliding children, says Yehovah; because I am your husband; and I will take one of you from a this city, and two from that family, and I will bring you to Zion. WE

[7] THE LAST DAY of the Feast of Tabernacles and the EIGHTH DAY share one common element: “Eternal judgment”! The resurrection on the Last Day takes care of the dead, but what about the survivors of the “time of trouble” who have just had an attitude adjustment, during a very thirsty “FAST of Tabernacles” (no rain)? Actually, there is plenty of time for coming generations of humanity to be redeemed or condemned! While the Seventh day of the Feast of Tabernacles is not another Sacred Day, it has much significance.

The most obvious meaning of the Feast of Tabernacles is often overlooked. It marks the Exodus!

Leviticus 23:42-43 ‘You will stay in sukkahs for seven days. Every native Israelite will stay in sukkahs, 43 ‘so that your posterity will know that I made the descendants of Israel stay in sukkahs when I brought them out of THE LAND OF EGYPT: I am Yehovah your Elohim. WE

Be looking for a Second Exodus!

Then ironically, the Eighth Day is the seventh Sacred Day; count them in Leviticus 23. The Eighth Day is in reality the seventh day of the first “millennial week”, ending the week, not beginning a new one!

The survivors of the Great Tribulation and the Day of Yehovah (the Lord) have an opportunity for repentance, actually “they, and their children, and their children’s children forever” (Ezekiel 37:25), and this is associated with “the Eighth Day”. This annual commemoration will be well understood during the Everlasting Kingdom. For those who have survived this long, the final “warning shot fired across the bow” was made by the threat of starvation; remember: no rain, no food.

Eternal Judgment is the very purpose of these two back-to-back days. Yeshua will separate the “sheep from the goats” immediately upon His return. That account is a synopsis of all of the parables preceding Matthew 25:31, but it is not a parable itself. Even tho terms “sheep” and “goats” are used, and that sounds rather parabolic, this is a quite literal event. The “goat like people”, the stubborn, will be like stubble in a fire.

Matthew 25:31-46 When the Son of Man comes in His splendor, and all His spirit Messengers with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His splendor. 32 All of the nations will be gathered into His presence; and He will separate THEM from each other, just like a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will have the sheep stand on His right hand, and the goats on His left. 34 Then the King will say to those on His right hand side, “Come, you blessed of My Father; inherit the Kingdom that was prepared for you since the foundation of the world. ... 41 Then He will say to those on His left hand, “Go back to your journey away from Me, you are doomed to the everlasting fire that was prepared for the Devil and his angels. ... 46 They will go away for an everlasting penalty, but the righteous into everlasting Life. GV

Yeshua’s remarks about the meaning of the Last Day of the Feast are all found in the book of John. As you read His comments about this time, preferably in context, you will see that the Last Day is all about the resurrection that precedes the first year of the Everlasting Kingdom (not just a millennial kingdom), pictured by the Eighth Day.

These Last Day references are for us:

John 6:39 The will of the One who sent Me is that I would lose none of those He has given to Me, but would raise them up during the Last Day. GV

John 6:40 Because My Father’s will is that everyone who sees the Son, and believes in Him, will have eternal Life; and I will raise them up on the Last Day”. GV

John 6:44 No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me, draws them; then I will raise them from the dead on the Last Day. GV

John 6:54 ... but anyone who eats My body, and drinks My blood has eternal Life; and I will raise them from the dead on the Last Day. GV

John 7:37 On the Last Day, that Great Day of the Feast, Yeshua stood and spoke out, “If anyone thirsts, they should come to Me and drink. GV

John 7:24 Martha replied, “I know that he will rise in the resurrection, on the Last Day”. GV

This Last Day reference is for the wicked:

John 12:48 Whoever rejects Me, and doesnt accept My teaching, has something to judge him—the teachings that I reveal will judge them on the Last Day. GV

Yeshua’s comments in John on the Last Day of that particular year are nearly all we have to determine what the Last Day commemorates!

The mention of a First resurrection definitely implies at least another resurrection. Our goal is to be resurrected from the dead, and participate in God’s family plan. But most of the Saints wont be fortunate enough to be living when Yeshua returns. There is a “first [or better] resurrection” for the Saints, but the Last Day is about a resurrection to judgment, whether good or bad, for everyone else. Technically, there are two resurrections at that time. I believe that these next two are only twenty-two days after the First Resurection—on the Last Day! The book of Daniel clearly specifies a Judgment where both the righteous and the wicked are resurrected in the time frame of the single greatest “time of trouble” “since there was a nation up until that same time”. He was told that this is “the time of the end”.

Daniel 12:1-4 AT THAT TIME, Michael will take a stand, the great prince who stands for your ‘countrymen’; and there will be a time of trouble [the great Tribulation], such as there has never been since the first nation up until that time; AND AT THAT TIME [during the “time of the end”!] your people will be delivered, everyone whose names are found recorded in the Book [of Life]. 2 An abundant number of people sleeping in the dust of the earth will awaken, some of themto everlasting life, and the others to shame and everlasting contempt. 3 Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the expanse of heaven; and those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever. 4 But Daniel, keep this message a secret, and put a seal on the book til the time of the end, many will travel around quickly, and knowledge will greatly increase [Hebrew: shoot! WE

Daniel further described the Last Day—Judgment Day, in chapter 7. In Daniel’s vision he saw: The Ancient of Days (Yehovah) on His throne, one hundred million witnesses, the books being opened, the Beast being destroyed, One who appeared to be the Son of Man coming in the clouds, and an Everlasting Kingdom (not a one-thousand-year-long kingdom) being established, “that that will never be destroyed.

Daniel 7:9-14 A fiery stream flowed before Him; millions ministered to Him, and one hundred million stood before Him; the Judge sat, and the books were opened. 11 I kept watching due to the the powerful voice that the horn spoke with; I watched until the Beast was killed, and its body was destroyed, and it was put into a blazing fire. 12 As for the other Beasts, their sovereignty was taken away; but their lives were prolonged for a specified period of duration. 13 In my vision that night I looked, and one like the Son of Man came with the clouds of the sky, and as He was approaching the Ancient of Days, they escorted Him into His presence. 14 He was given rulership, and splendor, and a Kingdom, so that all the people, nations, and languages would serve Him. His Kingdom is an Everlasting Kingdom that wont pass away, and His Kingdom is one what will never be destroyed. WE

This resurrection where the relatively righteous, and the wicked are judged simultaneously, during “the time of the end”, is referred to in Revelation as the White Throne Judgment; and no it’s not after the thousand years, as you just read in two places in Daniel; and the Revelation account adds even more information:

Revelation 20:11 I saw a great white throne, and the One who sat on it, from whose countenance the earth and sky fled to safety [5]. The location of that inhabited place was not recognizable to me. 12 I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and the books were opened. Another book was opened that is the Book of Life. The dead were judged out of the things that were written in the books, according to their works. 13 The sea gave up the dead who were in it. Death and sheol gave up the dead who were in them. They were each judged according to their works. 14 Death and Sheol were thrown into the lake of fire. The second death is the lake of fire. GV

John also described the White Throne Judgment as a day when two resurrections take place:

John 5:25-29 ... and it is absolutely certain that the time is coming, (and as of this writing, now is), when the dead will hear the voice of Yehovah’s Son; and those who hear, will live. 26 Just as the Father has Life in Himself, so He has also allowed the Son to have Life in Himself. 27 In addition, He has also given Him the authority to carry out the judgment [the next step], because He is the Son of Man. 28 Dont be amazed at this; because the time is coming when EVERYONE in their graves will hear His voice; 29 and come out; those who have done good, to the Resurrection of Life [second resurrection], and those who have done evil [third resurrection], to the Resurrection of Condemnation. GV

During the second and third resurrections the sheep and the goats are separated, but as the account states, both groups are clueless as to why they are being rewarded, or punished! These are not the Saints who were already resurrected, but that is another topic, explained in The Called, the Culled, and the Excused!

We read that on Judgment Day, even the wicked will be brought back to life for one day. It says that “the dead will hear” and that “ALL who are in their graves will hear”. The wicked “goats” will not be disembodied spirits, they will be combustible humans! (Malachi 4:1-3)

The sheep of this general resurrection, the White Throne Judgment, will enter the Everlasting Kingdom, and they enter on the Last Day. While the goats experience everlasting condemnation (death).

What about “Death and Sheol” being “thrown into the lake of fire”, as mentioned above? Would that mean, as so many teach, that there could be no more humans after that point in time, and that all of the human race had become immortal beings by then, living in New Jerusalem?

In Revelation 20, we read about “Death and Sheol” [the grave] being eliminated. Wouldnt that essentially be what happens when absolutely no one is dead—ALL of the dead have been either raised to Life or turned into ashes—when the slate is clear? No one is dead, no one is in Sheol?

Aside from the comments specifically mentioning that the Adversary (Satan) will be bound for a thousand years, and the havoc that he will stir up then, sort of a footnote; the entire book of Revelation is a chronological account of the time of the end, but most of Christianity believes that once the Adversary is bound for the thousand years, in chapter 20:1, that the Judgment Day of that same chapter and the entirety of the last two chapters of Revelation, chapters 21 and 22, are describing events that we’ll have to wait a thousand years to experience. In reality we win right away!

Let’s look at Revelation 21 and see if the wicked are finished springing up among us, and see if indeed humanity itself is gone, or if 1000 years has passed. In fact we’ll see that we are just past the end of this age with humans still occupying the earth and even visiting New Jerusalem (the fiancee or bride—the regathered Israel) on the New Earth, made ready (about to be) married. People continue to opt to become wicked, and are even loitering outside of New Jerusalem, destined for the lake of fire (still there), that consumed the Beast and the false prophet, “the lake that burns with fire and sulfur”. We see that strictly within the city there are no more tears. Yehovah is living here with humanity, and humans are being offered “living water” for the first time, with no mention of a thousand year postponement!

Revelation 21: I saw a New Heaven, and a New Earth; because the first Heaven and the first earth had gone [1]; and there was no more sea [2]. 2 I saw the sacred city, the New Jerusalem, descending from Yehovah out of the sky, like a fiancee made ready for her husband. 3 I heard a great voice from the sky, that said, “Look, the tabernacle [dwelling place] of Yehovah is with humanity [anthropos]. He lives with them; they will be His people; and Yehovah will be with them, yes Yehovah Himself will be with them”. 4 Every tear will be wiped from their eyes; and there will be no more death [3], or mourning, or crying; nor will the previous painful state exist anymore; because the previous evil things have departed. 5 The One who sat on the throne, said, “Look, I am making everything new”. And He said, “Write this down; because these are the faithful and true words of Yehovah”. 6 He told me, “I am the Aleph and the Tau, the Beginning and the Ending; I will allow anyone who is thirsty to drink freely from the spring of living water. 7 Anyone who is victorious will inherit these things; and I will be their Aloha, and they will be My offspring. 8 But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the sinful, the polluted, murderers, male prostitutes, sorcerers [4], idolaters, and all liars, are destined for the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, that is the second death” GV.

[1] This is the equivalent of the new earth that appeared after Yehovah sent a great flood “to destroy the earth” (Genesis 9:11).

[2] The one particular sea that wont exist any longer is the one where our sins were thrown into (Micah 7:19).

[3] The cessation of tears and death is at the very beginning of the Everlasting Kingdom. Compare to Isaiah 25:6-11, particularly v.8. Yet the wicked are excluded from this blessing, as mentioned in John 21:8.

[4] Pharmakeus apparently alludes to drug use.

Malachi was describing the Last Day; the fates of the righteous and the wicked, but without necessarily specifying the dead.

Malachi 4:1-3 “Look, THE DAY is coming, it burns like a furnace; and ALL of the proud, and everyone who behaves wicked, will be stubble; and THE DAY that comes will burn them up”, says Yehovah, leader of His army. “They will be left without a root or branch. 2 But for those of you who revere My name, the sun of righteousness will arise with healing in its wings. You will go out and leap like calves leaving a stall. 3 You will trample down the wicked; because they will be ASHES under the soles of your feet on THE DAY when this is done”, says Yehovah of armies. WE

The context of this Judgment Day passage concerns the time when Elijah returns, and the Day of Yehovah (v.5)!

Coming Full Cycle

There is a connection between the Passover, that began our quest for eternal life, and the Last Day, that makes it a reality for so many.

John 6:4 The Passover Feast of the Jewish people was approaching. GV

It is quite probable that the statements of John 6 were made on the actual date of the Passover, Abib the 14th. Why waste a good Sacred Day?

Here is the common factor concerning both the Passover and the Last Day.

John 6:35-40 Yeshua told them, “I am the bread of Life. Anyone who comes to Me will never hunger ... 39 This is the will of the One who sent Me, that I would lose none of those He has given to Me, but would raise them up during the LAST DAY. 40 Because My Father’s will is that everyone who sees the Son, and believes in Him, will have eternal Life; and I will raise them up on the LAST DAY”. GV

Why do you suppose that God referred to the resurrection in the context of “the Last Day”? Thruout the entire Sacred Day cycle we should be anticipating the end result—the LAST DAY, or culmination, of this evil age, in preparation for rulership starting on the first day, or perhaps the first Passover, of the seventh millennium! During the last three and one half years of this age, we will be preparing for rulership in the Everlasting Kingdom. We will have been resurrected on the Day of Trumpets of year 6000. God has waited for this resurrection since before the foundation of the earth. Those of us who diligently sought God, and found His grace, will serve as the leadership in the age to come—the age that begins when Yeshua says: “If anyone thirsts, they should come to Me and drink”. And “Out of their innermost being will flow rivers of living water”.

THE EIGHTH DAY: Celebrating a thousand generations of humanity!

It seems a bit ironic, but The Eighth Day is the seventh Sacred Day; count them in Leviticus 23. The Eighth Day is in reality the seventh day of the first “millennial week”, ending the week, not beginning a new one!

The Last Day ends the sixth millennial week, and we know that there will be a millennium of rest to follow, but could the seven thousand year plan only be the first week of a much longer plan?

We have seen the inception the first millennial week, but could the seven thousand year plan only be the first week of a much longer plan?

God, on three occasions in Scripture, told of a One Thousand Generation Plan, all three of these Scriptural passages are confirmations of the covenant that God swore in an oath to Abraham’s descendants! Are you certain that you want to opt for this to be figurative?

Deuteronomy 7:6-11 Because you are a pure people to Yehovah your Elohim; Yehovah your Elohim has chosen you to be a nation of His personal possession, above all nations who are on the face of the earth. 7 Yehovah didnt set His love on you, or choose you, because you were more in number than any nation; because you were the smallest of all nations; 8 but because Yehovah loves you, and so as to honor the oath that He swore to your ancestors, Yehovah has brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondage, from the hand of Pharaoh, king of Egypt. 9 So remember that Yehovah your Elohim, is the only Elohim, the faithful Elohim, who honors His covenant and loving kindness with those who love Him and obey His Commandments for a thousand generations, 10 and repays those who hate Him in person, to destroy them; He wont be slack to anyone who hates Him, He’ll personally repay them. 11 So you’ll obey the Commandments, and the Statutes, and the Ordinances, that I command you today; do them. WE

This one thousand generation covenant is integrally involved with the Words that He commanded, obeying these commandments and physical blessings.

1 Chronicles 16:12-18 Remember the marvelous things that He has done, His wonders, and the judgments He has spoken, 13 You descendants of Israel His servant, you descendants of Jacob, His chosen ones. 14 He is Yehovah our Elohim. His judgments are in all the earth. 15 Remember His covenant forever, the words that He commanded to a THOUSAND GENERATIONS, 16 the covenant that He made with Abraham, His oath to Isaac. 17 He confirmed it with Jacob as a statute, and to Israel as a never ending covenant, 18 saying, “I’ll give you the land of Canaan, the territory of your inheritance,” WE

Psalm 105:8-11 He has remembered His covenant forever, the word that He commanded for a thousand generations, 9 the covenant that He made with Abraham, and His oath to Isaac, 10 and confirmed it to Jacob as a statute; to Israel for an everlasting covenant, 11 saying, “To you I will give the land of Canaan, the region of your inheritance”... WE

How long is a generation? Ironically or not, there are different “definitions” of “generation” possible in the Bible. It is not a fixed time. Here is one definition concerning the covenant with Abraham. This generation is on the high side.

Genesis 15:2,5-6,13,16,18-21 Abram said, “Adonay Yehovah, what will you give me, since I’m childless, and the one who will inherit my estate is Eliezer of Damascus?” ... 5 Yehovah brought him outside, and said, “Look now toward the sky, and count the stars, if you are able to count them”. He said to Abram, “So will your descendants be”. ... 13 Then He said to Abram; ‘Know for sure that your descendants will live as foreigners in a land that isnt theirs, and will serve them, and they’ll afflict them four hundred years. ... 16 But in the fourth generation they’ll return here, because the depravity of the Amorites isnt yet complete. 17 It came to pass that, when the sun went down, and it was dark, behold, a smoking furnace, and a flaming torch passed between these pieces. 18 On the same day Yehovah made a COVENANT with Abram, saying; To your descendants I have given this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the River Euphrates— 19 the Kenites, the Kenizzites, the Kadmonites, 20 the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Rephaim, 21 the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Girgashites, and the Jebusites”. WE

To cram a “thousand generations” between Abraham’s time and the end of the seventh millennium would make a generation only about five years long! Perhaps there is a 120,000 year plan. Or was God exaggerating about His covenant in His oath to Abraham?

Over the years the covenant has had some major setbacks, but that will change when the terms of the Jeremiah 31 New Covenant are implemented. Note that “everlasting” in the Hebrew means a very long time, if not eternity.

Genesis 17:1-9 When Abram was ninety-nine years old, Yehovah appeared to Abram, and told him, “I’m Elohim Almighty. Walk before Me, and be blameless. 2 I’ll make My covenant between Me and you, and will multiply you greatly”. 3 Abram fell facedown and Elohim told him, 4 “As for Me, look, My covenant is with you. you’ll be the father of a many nations. 5 You’ll no longer be called Abram, but your name will be Abraham; because I’ve made you the father of many nations. 6 I’ll make you exceedingly fruitful, and I’ll make nations of you. Kings will be descended from you. 7 I’ll establish My covenant between Me and you, and your descendants after you, thruout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be an Elohim to you, and to your descendants after you. 8 I’ll give to you, and to your descendants after you, the land where you are traveling, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession. I’ll be their Elohim”. 9 Elohim said to Abraham, “As for you, you’ll keep My covenant, you and your descendants after you thruout their generations. WE

Abraham’s descendants were to number as the stars of heaven, that are beyond counting. That is the end result of a literal thousand generations. I believe that God’s, statement: “Look now toward heaven, and count the stars”, was also not an exaggeration, but rather a clue revealing that these descendants will eventually colonize the heavens, due to the extreme limitations of the earth! While you may think this is preposterous; the numbers dont lie!

I am working on a supplement to the Last Day topic entitled Yet Another Big Bang Theory? It’s at the bottom of my “in the works page”.