Israels Holy Days, Part 6

Israel’s Holy Days

Part 6, “The Last [Seventh] Day, that Great Day of the Feast”

Chapter 20, Part 6 Preview: (Back to Part 1). The apostles never said that the Holy Days were dusty archives of events long forgotten! Rather, they are prophetic signs of “things to come”! The modern Israelite nations have almost entirely lost the knowledge of not only their Biblical heritage but also the truth that we were to have an “everlasting covenant” with God. This chapter explains, via the Holy Days, why it is that only the Israelite nations will suffer the prophesied “Great Tribulation”. The penalty for not keeping our covenant will be inflicted upon Modern Israel by the hands “of the peoples” whom we were supposed to set an example for! (Deuteronomy 4:5-10) The other nations suffer afterward:

The “great” thing about the seventh day of the Feast of Tabernacles is that it is this world’s and Satan’s last stand! It is not a Holy Day but it is great to view it thru the rear view mirror!

Before relating what I believe the Last Day day represents, I need to clarify which day is being spoken of. A close look at the wording unmistakably indicates a single day within a multiple day Feast. The Eighth Day (which many people confuse with the “Last ... Great Day” of the Feast of Tabernacles) is strictly a one day feast which obviously could not have a last day!

Note the distinction between the Seventh day of the Feast of Tabernacles and the separate Eighth Day:

Leviticus 23:34-36 Speak to the children of Israel, and say, ‘On the fifteenth day of this seventh month is the Feast of [Tabernacles] for seven days to [Yehovah’]. 35 On the first day shall be a holy convocation: you shall do no regular work. 36 Seven days you shall offer an offering made by fire to [Yehovah]. On the Eighth Day shall be a holy convocation to you; and you shall offer an offering made by fire to [Yehovah]. It is a solemn assembly; you shall do no regular work. WEB

The Scriptures never lump the Eighth Day in with the Feast of Tabernacles; it is a separate Feast, yet the term Eighth Day would, by definition, mean that no span of time separates it from the seven years pictured by the Feast of Tabernacles. The events of the Eighth Day change the world forever, as we’ll see in that segment.

William F. Dankenbring has documented the historical significance of of the pouring rituals and tied them to the seventh day of the Feast of Tabernacles, in contrast to the teachings of his former association, as described on this offsite link. However he still teaches, as did his mentor, that the symbolic purpose of the Eighth Day has to do with an imaginary period of salvation that takes place a thousand years after the kingdom is set up, and that Judgment Day, for billions of people now dead, is also in the distant future. Yet, neither Salvation nor Judgment will be postponed for a thousand years!

Daniel 12:1-3 At that time [the end of this age as the Book of Life explains] shall Michael stand up, the great prince who stands for the children of your people; and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time [the Great Tribulation]: and at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone who shall be found written in the book. 2 Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake [the Eighth Day—or “White Throne” Judgment Day! (Revelation 20:11-15)], some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. 3 Those who are wise shall shine as the brightness of the expanse; and those who turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever.

[The Great Judgment Day explains the timing and circumstances of Judgment Day, the day (year) which follows the literal fulfillment of the Feast of Tabernacles.]

Here is where I continue my understanding of the Mysterious Seventy “Weeks” (years) prophecy tie in:

Daniel 9:27 He [the Beast] shall make a firm covenant with many for one week [seven years]: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the offering to cease; and on the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolate; and even to the full end, and that determined, shall wrath be poured out on the desolate. WEB

Again notice the mid contract occurrence that follows the warning sign that Jesus (Yeshua, off site) gave about fleeing when armies surround Jerusalem—Matthew 24:15-16.

Daniel 11:31 Forces shall stand on his [the Beast’s] part, and they shall profane the sanctuary, even the fortress, and shall take away the [daily sacrifice], and they shall set up the abomination that makes desolate. WEB

This will happen in the exact middle—1260 days into—the Beast’s seven year “firm covenant”. However during the last year of the final seven year period, the tribes of Israel will be given miraculous power to throw off their bonds of slavery and fight their way to the promised land:

Zechariah 12:8 In that day [Yehovah] will defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem. He who is feeble among them at that day will be like David, and the house of David will be like God, like the angel of [Yehovah] before them. WEB

Once the seventh year is over, God will destroy the remaining hostile armies that opposed Israel so efficiently:

Verse 9 It will happen in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem. WEB

Yet at the same time Israel will learn about redemption and salvation:

John 7:37-40 On the Last Day, that Great [7th] Day of the Feast, Yeshua stood and cried, saying: “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink 38 Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his *innermost being*[2836] will flow rivers of living waters’. 39 But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, which those who believe in Him would receive, for the Spirit had not yet been given, because Yeshua had not yet been glorified. 40 And many of the crowd who heard His dialog, said: “Certainly, He is the Prophet”. NMT

If indeed the Seventieth Week of the Seventy Weeks Prophecy is an overview of end time prophecy then the Feast of Tabernacles of the Seventh Year may well mark the time when the very first contingent of Israel’s army returns to Jerusalem and recaptures the temple.

At this time the Beast will have his hands full fighting with the two other Super Powers and this may be the opportunity for the Two Witnesses along with the newly formed army of volunteers to move back to Jerusalem.

Daniel 11:40-45 At the time of the end shall the king of the south contend with him; and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass through. 41 He shall enter also into the glorious land, and many countries shall be overthrown; but these shall be delivered out of his hand: Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon. 42 He shall stretch forth his hand also on the countries; and the land of Egypt shall not escape. 43 But he shall have power over the treasures of gold and of silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt; and the Libyans and the Ethiopians shall be at his steps. 44 But news out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him; and he shall go forth with great fury to destroy and utterly to sweep away many. 45 He shall plant the tents of his palace between the sea and the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him.

In any event, the Two Witnesses will be back in Jerusalem later for certain, for it is there that they are martyred.

Revelation 11:6-8 These have the power to shut up the sky, that it may not rain during the days of their prophecy. They have power over the waters, to turn them into blood, and to strike the earth with every plague, as often as they desire. 7 When they have finished their [3.5 year long] testimony, the beast that comes up out of the abyss will make war with them, and overcome them, and kill them. 8 Their dead bodies will be in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also their Lord was crucified.

It’s not until Yeshua’s statement in John that we (the Saints) find a positive confirmation that the water pouring rituals that the Jews performed thruout the Feast of Tabernacles, (but never on the Eighth Day) truly do represent the pouring out of God’s spirit on Israel “BEFORE the great and awesome Day of the Lord,” as the Jews had suspected. This tradition, while not Biblical, can be traced clear back to the beginning of the Second Temple era.

Joel 2:31-32 The sun will be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, BEFORE the great and ‘terrible’ [or awesome] day of [Yehovah] comes. 32 It will happen that whoever will call on the name of [Yehovah] shall be saved; for in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be those who escape, as [Yehovah] has said, and among the remnant, those whom [Yehovah] calls. WEB

Note the pending destruction. As the Great Tribulation is winding down and the Day of the Lord is announced:

Zephaniah 1:14 The GREAT DAY of the LORD IS NEAR; it is near and hastens quickly. The noise of the Day of the LORD is bitter; there the mighty men shall cry out. NKJV

Satan’s forces will be active until the Last Day:

A few “others” who are wise will side with Israel and be spared from the Day of the Lord. They will get a head start on those of the other nations who will be forced to keep the law and these others will probably never enter the servitude that the rest of the enemy nations will.

Toward the very last literal day of this seven day period, which should be commemorated as “that GREAT DAY of the feast”, Satan’s meddling with humanity and the reign of his wicked men will cease. While the Seventh Day is not a Holy Day, it is still a high point of the commemoration because of what is ending!

The Eighth Day

Actually, the first five chapters in this book cover different aspects of the “Eighth Day”, also called “Judgment Day” or “Jubilee” or “the Day of the Lord”, so this segment is abbreviated. These chapters are:

In Leviticus 23, which contains the complete listing of holy convocations, there is only part of one verse instructing Israel about the one day annual Commemoration immediately following the Feast of Tabernacles. No clue is given in the immediate context as to what is to be commemorated. Certainly this is a situation in which God would expect natural human curiosity to kick in. Imagine God summoning a meeting of your entire nation to memorialize something, but neglecting to mention why! Two things we do know: this is the end of the story and we win!

Leviticus 23:36 On the Eighth Day shall be a holy convocation to you; and you shall offer an offering made by fire to [Yehovah]. It is a solemn assembly; you shall do no regular work. WEB

The Eighth Day is very good news for the righteous and very bad news for the wicked!

Romans 14:10 ... For we will all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. WEB [Not all at exactly the same time tho.]

First the good news:

This is the grand finale event of this amazing Jubilee year. It brings us to the very threshold of the Everlasting Kingdom. There is precious little in scripture about what follows the victory that falls during “the Great and Awesome Day of the Lord” beyond the transitional period. We do know for certain that God’s truth will begin to flow everywhere like living water:

Isaiah 11:9 They will not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain; for the earth will be full of the knowledge of [Yehovah], as the waters cover the sea. (Also see Ezekiel 47:1-12)

This is the happily ever after part of the story, as far is Israel is concerned. It’s the point in history when Israel begins in earnest to live Gods way of life. Israel will now become the Bride of Christ. Zion (Jerusalem) will become the world’s Capitol city. Following these events the survivors of “many nations” will want to come and learn about this awesome God. Others will learn the hard way.

Micah 4:1-3 But in the latter days, it will happen that the mountain of [Yehovah’s] temple will be established on the top of the mountains, and it will be exalted above the hills; and peoples will stream to it. 2 Many nations will go and say, “Come, and let us go up to the mountain of [Yehovah], and 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 will go forth the law, and the word of [Yehovah] from Jerusalem; 3 and He will judge between many peoples, and will decide concerning strong nations afar off. They will beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not lift up sword against nation, neither will they learn war any more. WEB

The next generation will be stunned to learn, after the fact, that hundreds of pages of Scriptures—usually at their fingertips—have described the climactic end time state of affairs of this age. These prophecies describe in excruciating detail the single most traumatic event in the history of humanity. Their closed minded, yet highly venerated, religious leaders have had well over one hundred generations to decipher God’s straightforward proposal. They could have “made a difference”. Nevertheless these shepherds subjected God’s truth to “spin”, and substituted fairy tales about wafting off to heaven or stories of “reincarnation” for the true earthly message, and all the more deceitfully as the devastation was imminent!

2 Timothy 4:4 ... and will turn away their ears from the truth, and turn aside to fables. WEB

“AN EVERLASTING KINGDOM”

Make no mistake, this is not a temporary Kingdom!

Psalms 145:11-15 They will speak of the glory of Your kingdom, and talk about Your power; 12 to make known to the sons of men His mighty acts, the glory of the majesty of His kingdom. 13 Your kingdom is an EVERLASTING KINGDOM. Your dominion endures throughout all generations. [Yehovah] is faithful in all His words, and loving in all His deeds. 14 [Yehovah] upholds all who fall, and raises up all those who are bowed down. 15 The eyes of all wait for You. You give them their food in due season. WEB

Isaiah 65 and 66 also describes the worldwide salvational plan of the new millennium set in motion by the Jubilee. Isaiah also spoke of the “New Earth”. This description is as specific and inspiring as any other reference in the Bible. Note that the root word for “new” is Strong’s 02318 chadash, (khaw-dash’), which means “renew or repair”, which is consistent with the Greek wording.

As explained in New Jerusalem, a Place of Safety! many Saints will take refuge in the “New Jerusalem” during this time. It will be seen from the “New Earth,” looking outwards into the “New Heavens!”

Isaiah 65:17-24 For, behold, I create New Heavens and a New Earth; and the former things shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. 18 But be you glad and rejoice forever in that which I create; for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy. 19 I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in My people; and there shall be heard in her no more the voice of weeping and the voice of crying. 20 “There shall be no more there an infant of days, nor an old man who has not filled his days; for the child shall die one hundred years old, and the sinner being one hundred years old shall be accursed. 21 They shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them. 22 They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree shall be the days of My people, and My chosen shall long enjoy the work of their hands. 23 They shall not labor in vain, nor bring forth for calamity; for they are the seed of the blessed of [Yehovah], and their offspring with them. 24 It shall happen that, before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear. WEB

Of course Israel is the first focus of the prophecy because Israel is the catalyst for change once the destruction of the Day of the Lord is past. But these liberated people will gladly spread the truth about God’s salvation to the rest of the world—those who have survived:

“The Restoration of All Things”

The Restoration of All Things is the genesis of the “New Earth” (Isaiah 66:22, Acts 3:19)! It is the long awaited establishment of the “Everlasting Kingdom”. Revelation 20, “the millennium chapter”, nowhere indicates that God’s Kingdom will only last for one millennium, tho an unsavory event involving Satan does punctuate the conclusion of the first millennial “week”. Very soon we will arrive at the time when all of humanity will have the opportunity to become God’s people. It represents physical and spiritual salvation being offered to all of Israel, for the purpose of setting an example for the entire world! Most of those whose lives have been spared during the Jubilee year will be good candidates for salvation.

There will soon be liberty and justice and salvation for all and you can be a part of it!

Psalm 67 was dedicated to the future “SALVATION” of the nations:

Psalm 67, All May God be merciful to us, bless us, and cause His face to shine on us. Selah. 2 That Your way may be known on earth, and Your SALVATION among ALL nations, 3 let the peoples praise You, God. Let all the peoples praise You. 4 Oh let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for You will judge the peoples with equity, and govern the nations on earth. Selah. 5 Let the peoples praise You, God. Let all the peoples praise You. 6 The earth has yielded its increase. God, even our own God, will bless us. 7 God will bless us. All the ends of the earth shall fear Him. WEB

Psalm 96 is entirely about this time of the worldwide reign of Yeshua as well. Here is an excerpt:

Psalm 96:10-13 Say among the nations, “[Yehovah] reigns.” The world is also established. It cant be moved. He will judge the peoples with equity. 11 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice. Let the sea roar, and its fullness! 12 Let the field and all that is in it exult! Then all the trees of the woods shall sing for joy 13 before [Yehovah]; for He comes, for He comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, the peoples with His truth. WEB

“Who is to rule” and whose “judgment seat”?

Revelation 12:5 She [Israel] gave birth to a Son, a male child, who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron. Her Child was caught up to God, and to His throne. WEB

Psalm 98 is another Psalm that is devoted to commemorating this wonderful age of “salvation” and judgment soon to come!

Psalm 98:2-3, 9 [Yehovah] has made known His SALVATION. He has openly shown His righteousness in the sight of the nations. 3 He has remembered His loving kindness and His faithfulness toward the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.... 9 Let them sing before [Yehovah], for He comes to judge the earth. He will JUDGE the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity. WEB

Here is yet another Messianic segment of scripture that describes the coming restoration of Israel which results from the Eighth Day. Inherent within the prophecy is the fact that Israel will yet set an example for the rest of the world—given enough coercion! There could be no better description of the establishment of the Everlasting Kingdom than Isaiah 49. The Day of the Lord makes the “day of salvation” possible:

Isaiah 49:6-13 ... yes, he says, “It is too light a thing that you should be My Servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to ‘restore’ [Literally: bring back] the preserved of Israel: [This is the “New Covenant”] I will also give you for a light to the nations, that You may be My SALVATION to the end of the earth.” 7 Thus says [Yehovah], the Redeemer of Israel, and His Holy One, to Him whom man despises, to Him whom the nation abhors, to a Servant of rulers: “Kings shall see and arise; princes, and they shall worship; because of [Yehovah] who is faithful, even the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen You.” 8 Thus says [Yehovah], “In an acceptable time have I answered You, and in a day of salvation have I helped you; and I will preserve you, and give you for a covenant of the people, to raise up the land, to make them inherit the desolate heritage: 9 saying to those who are bound, ‘Come out!’; to those who are in darkness, ‘Show yourselves!’ “They shall feed in the ways, and on all bare heights shall be their pasture. 10 They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun strike them: for He who has mercy on them will lead them, even by springs of water He will guide them. 11 I will make all My mountains a way, and My highways shall be exalted. 12 Behold, these shall come from far; and behold, these from the north and from the west; and these from the land of Sinim.” 13 Sing, heavens; and be joyful, earth; and break forth into singing, mountains: for [Yehovah] has comforted His people, and will have compassion on His afflicted. WEB

Isaiah 55 and 56 contains the entire message about Israel returning to God that Yeshua alluded to in John 37:8 when He said, “as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water”! These are beautiful chapters concerning the coming salvation of Israel as the rest of the world is being subdued.

Isaiah 55:All Come, everyone who thirsts, to the waters! Come, he who has no money, buy, and eat! Yes, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. 2 Why do you spend money for that which is not bread? And your labor for that which doesnt satisfy? Listen diligently to Me, and eat you that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. 3 Turn your ear, and come to Me; hear, and your soul shall live: and I will make an everlasting covenant with you [Israel], even the sure mercies of David. 4 Behold, I have given him for a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander to the peoples. 5 Behold, you shall call a nation that you dont know; and a nation that didnt know you shall run to you, because of [Yehovah] your God, and for the Holy One of Israel; for He has glorified you.” 6 See [Yehovah] while He may be found; call you on Him while He is near: 7 let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return to [Yehovah], and He will have mercy on him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon. 8 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” says [Yehovah]. 9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts. 10 For as the rain comes down and the snow from the sky, and doesnt return there, but waters the earth, and makes it bring forth and bud, and gives seed to the sower and bread to the eater; 11 so shall My word be that goes forth out of My mouth: it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing I sent it to do. 12 For you shall go out [Exodus] with joy, and be led forth [into Israel] with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing; and all the trees of the fields shall clap their hands. 13 Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree; and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to [Yehovah] for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off. WEB

Continuing the restoration message that Yeshua alluded to (ignoring the misplaced chapter break):

Isaiah 56:1-7 Thus says [Yehovah], “Keep justice, and do righteousness; for My SALVATION IS [ABOUT—NKJV] TO COME, and My righteousness to be revealed. 2 Blessed is the man who does this, and the son of man who holds it fast; who keeps the Sabbath from profaning it, and keeps his hand from doing any evil.” 3 Neither let the foreigner, who has joined himself to [Yehovah], speak, saying, “[Yehovah] will surely separate me from His people;” neither let the eunuch say, “Behold, I am a dry tree.” 4 For thus says [Yehovah], “To the eunuchs who keep My Sabbaths, and choose the things that please Me, and hold fast My covenant: 5 to them I will give in My house and within My walls a memorial and a name better than of sons and of daughters [of Israel]; I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off. 6 Also the foreigners who join themselves to [Yehovah], to minister to Him, and to love the name of [Yehovah], to be His servants, everyone who keeps the Sabbath from profaning it, and holds fast My covenant; 7 even them will I bring to My holy mountain, and make them joyful in My house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted on My altar; for My house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples. 8 The ‘Lord’ [Strong’s 013 Adonay—always plural!] [Yehovah] [always plural!], who gathers the outcasts of Israel, [during the Second Exodus] says, “Yet will I gather OTHERS to Him, besides His own who are gathered. WEB

So after the carnage, God will “gather OTHERS to Him, besides His own....”—unconverted survivors who were not wicked!

A “Born Again” Experience!

Another facet of the Last Day (Year) is that it is also marks the year of the “first” [or best] “resurrection” when the Saints (off site) are resurrected—as in: “That which is born of the flesh is flesh. That which is born of the Spirit IS spirit”—John 3:6. The Jubilee year has begun. This probably precedes the general “White Throne” Judgment by a few days. Some believe that this will occur on Pentecost of this year of release. The Day of Trumpets seems the more likely choice. Yeshua had been emphasizing this fact since the previous Passover:

1 Corinthians 15:52 ... in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we will be changed. WEB

John 6:40 This is the will of the One who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son, and believes in Him, should have eternal life; and I will raise him up [the first resurrection] at the Last Day [Eighth Day]. WEB

He also said:

John 6:39-54 This is the will of My Father who sent me, that of all He has given to Me I should lose nothing, but should raise him up at the Last Day.... 44 No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him, and I will raise him up in the Last Day.... 54 He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the Last Day. WEB

Martha understood it:

John 11:24 Martha said to Him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the Last Day. WEB

Judgment of those who deliberately rejected Yeshua will also occur on that same “Last Day”:

John 12:48 He who rejects Me, and doesnt receive My sayings, has One who judges him. The word that I spoke, the same will judge him in the Last Day. WEB

Perhaps some or all of those who have viciously rejected Yeshua will suffer longer than Judgment Day. As we’ll see below, the High Priest and those who pierced Yeshua are already present when Yeshua returns!

As I understand it, “On the Last Day” [year] the announcement will go out that the “Lawgiver” is coming “to save and to destroy” (James 4:12).

Many teach that the “Last Day” is the “Eighth Day” that follows the Feast of Tabernacles, but insert a 1000 year long postponement between the 7th and 8th days. The “Great Day” of the Feast, is the greatest day of a multiple day feast, as the term itself indicates, while the very “Last Day” is “the Day of the Lord”—Judgment Day.

In essence there are two “Last Days”. There is the seventh Sabbatical year (year 49) and then there is the last year of the fifty year cycle:

Leviticus 25:8-11“‘You shall count off seven Sabbaths of years, seven times seven years; and there shall be to you the days of seven Sabbaths of years, even forty-nine years. 9 Then you shall sound the loud trumpet on the tenth day of the seventh month. On the Day of Atonement you shall sound the trumpet throughout all your land. 10 You shall make the fiftieth year holy, and proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a jubilee to you; and each of you shall return to his own property, and each of you shall return to his family. WEB

Yeshua’s statement on the Last Day apparently had a powerful influence on the hearers. As soon as He revealed the essential meaning of the Last Day to the faithful who have ears to hear, His enemies discussed how they might kill Him!

John 7:44-46 Some of them would have arrested Him, but no one laid hands on Him. 45 The officers therefore came to the chief priests and Pharisees, and they said to them, “Why didnt you bring Him?” 46 The officers answered, “No man ever spoke like this Man! WEB

Now for the Bad news:

Zechariah described this time of transition between the “old earth” and the “new earth”.

Zechariah 14:4, 8-9, 16-19 His feet will stand in that day on the Mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east; and the Mount of Olives will be split in two, from east to west, making a very great valley. Half of the mountain will move toward the north, and half of it toward the south.... 8 It will happen in that day, that living waters [as in those of Revelation 22] will go out from Jerusalem; half of them toward the eastern sea, and half of them toward the western sea; in summer and in winter will it be. 9 [Yehovah] will be King over all the earth. In that day [Yehovah] will be one, and His name one.... 16 It will happen that everyone who is left of all the nations that came against Jerusalem will go up from year to year to worship the King, [Yehovah] of Armies, and to keep the Feast of [Tabernacles]. 17 It will be, that whoever of all the families of the earth doesnt go up to Jerusalem to worship the King, [Yehovah] of Armies, on them there will be no rain. 18 If the family of Egypt doesnt go up, and doesnt come, neither will it rain on them. This will be the plague with which [Yehovah] will strike the nations that dont go up to keep the Feast of [Tabernacles] 19 This will be the punishment of Egypt, and the punishment of all the nations that dont go up to keep the Feast of [Tabernacles]. WEB

It appears that a severe news black out will occur within the far flung regions of the earth. Any number of prophesied events—“natural disasters”—could cause this. Nations which were actually sold Israelite slaves will not have “heard My fame” nor have “seen My glory”. I believe that the Saints “shall declare My glory among the nations”.

Isaiah 66:18-23 For I know their works and their thoughts: the time comes, that I will gather all nations and languages; and they shall come, and shall see My glory. 19 “I will set a sign among them, and I will send such as escape [Luke 21:36] of them to the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, who draw the bow, to Tubal and Javan, to the islands afar off, who have not heard My fame, neither have seen My glory; and they shall declare My glory among the nations. 20 They shall bring all your brothers out of all the nations for an offering to [Yehovah], on horses, and in chariots, and in litters, and on mules, and on dromedaries, to My holy mountain Jerusalem, says [Yehovah], as the children of Israel bring their offering in a clean vessel into the ‘house’ [temple] of [Yehovah]. 21 Of them also will I take for priests and for Levites,” says [Yehovah]. 22 “For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before Me,” says [Yehovah], “so your [descendants] and your name shall remain. 23 It shall happen, that from one new moon to another, and from one Sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before Me,” says [Yehovah]. WEB

While the Tribulation is also referred to as “great” and similarly “the last [7th] day, that great day of the feast” is once referred to as “great”, it is the Day of the Lord/Jubilee/Judgment Day which is the greatest because God is here:

Joel 2:11 ... for the Day of [Yehovah] is GREAT and very awesome, and who can endure it? WEB

Joel 2:31 The sun will be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the GREAT and terrible Day of [Yehovah] comes. WEB

Revelation 16:14 ... for they are spirits of demons, performing signs; which go forth to the kings of the whole inhabited earth, to gather them together for the war of that GREAT DAY of God Almighty. WEB

Revelation 6:17... for the GREAT DAY of His wrath has come; and who is able to stand? WEB

Jude 6 Angels who didnt keep their first domain, but deserted their own dwelling place, He has kept in everlasting bonds under darkness for the JUDGMENT of the GREAT DAY. WEB

God fairly well concealed the significance of His Holy Days, preferring to let us dig out their meanings for ourselves.

Proverbs 25:2 It is the glory of God to conceal a thing, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter. WEB

We should hope to be a priest or a king some day.

Revelation 5:10 ... and made us kings and priests to our God, and we will reign on earth. WEB

So study to be approved by God for that opportunity:

2 Timothy 2:15 Give diligence to present yourself approved by God, a workman who doesnt need to be ashamed, properly handling the Word of Truth.

Here are some Scriptures that date the “Eighth Day”—Judgment Day:

Revelation 1:7 Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, including those who pierced Him. All the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him. Even so, Amen. WEB

Matthew 26:63-64 But [Yeshua] held his peace. The high priest answered Him, “I adjure you by the living God, that you tell us whether you are the Christ, the Son of God.” 64 [Yeshua] said to him, “You have said it. Nevertheless, I tell you, after this you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming on the clouds of the sky. WEB

The “high priest” and “those who pierced Him” will not be present at Yeshua return for milk and cookies!

The words “coming on the clouds of the ‘sky’” (usually rendered “heaven”) is a reference to Daniel 7, verse 13 in particular. The context here unmistakably confirms that Judgment Day is when Yeshua returns visibly in the clouds.

Very early in the morning following the Seventh Day of the Feast of Tabernacles, Yeshua was again in the temple teaching. This would have been the Eighth Day. I would suspect that He was teaching about Judgment Day. His enemies even questioned Him concerning judgment to entrap Him. Here is part of the account:

John 8:1-6 [Yeshua] went to the Mount of Olives. 2 Now very early in the morning, He came again into the temple, and all the people came to Him. He sat down, and taught them. 3 The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman taken in adultery. Having set her in the midst, 4 they told Him, “Teacher, we found this woman in adultery, in the very act. 5 Now in our law, Moses commanded us to stone such. What then do You say about her?” 6 They said this testing Him, that they might have something to accuse Him of. WEB

After apparently pointing out the accusers hypocrisy—apparently naming names by writing them in the dirt, the wicked ones left. Yeshua continued:

Verse 9 They, when they heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning from the oldest, even to the last. [Yeshua] was left alone with the woman where she was, in the middle. 10 [Yeshua], standing up, saw her and said, “Woman, where are your accusers? Did no one condemn you?” 11 She said, “No one, Lord.” [Yeshua] said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go your way. From now on, sin no more.

“Neither do I condemn you. Go your way. From now on, sin no more”—Such will be the fabulous fortune of favor toward the survivors of the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord.

This is what God’s Holy Days represent, as I understand them so far.

Anyone who naively believes that God’s Holy Days are relics of the past and that days adopted from paganism are now “Christian” days; such as Easter, Christmas and Hallow’een (nothing hallowed about it) etc. is in for an earth shaking blow—sooner or later.

Some Scriptures are from the “New King James Version®, Copyright © 1982, Thomas Nelson, Inc. All rights reserved.” “Bible text from the New King James Version® is not to be reproduced in copies or otherwise by any means except as permitted in writing by Thomas Nelson, Inc., Attn: Bible Rights and Permissions, P.O. Box 141000, Nashville, TN 37214-1000.”