The Last Great Day and the Handover to the Father (No. CB142)

Introduction

From the Bible we see that God gives us instructions when to keep the annual feasts in Leviticus and Numbers. The Feast of Tabernacles is kept in the seventh month and is immediately followed by the eighth day, or what we now call the Last Great Day. This is the seventh and final Holy Day in each yearly cycle.

Leviticus 23:34-36 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. 35 On the first day shall be an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein. 36 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.

Leviticus 23:39 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.

Numbers 29:35 On the eighth day ye shall have a solemn assembly: ye shall do no servile work [therein]:

In the times of Ezra and Nehemiah we again see the restoration of the temple and the keeping of Eloah’s Feasts.

Nehemiah 8:18 Also day by day, from the first day unto the last day, he read in the book of the law of God. And they kept the feast seven days; and on the eighth day [was] a solemn assembly, according unto the manner.

We see the eighth day is a separate feast day from the Feast of Tabernacles, which is for seven days. We refer to the eighth day as the Last Great Day. It occurs in the Seventh month (Tishri) on the 22nd day. We do not take up an offering on the Last Great Day. All things offered at Passover, Pentecost and Ingathering (the Feast of Tabernacles) have been completed.

John 7 is where we get the term for the Last Great Day. It is also further evidence that Jesus Christ and the apostles kept the Holy Days of God.

John 7:37 In the last day, that great [day] of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. (KJV)

We also see the same concept explained in a slightly different way in the following versions:

John 7:37 on the last and greatest day of the festival Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink (NEB)

John 7:37 On the final and most important day of the Feast Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink (Ber)

Here we see the concept of the Last Great Day being emphasized as the greatest day of the Festival and the most important day of the Feast. As we progress through the paper we will see why the Last Great Day is such an important part of Eloah’s plan. No other High Day is referred to as the great, or greatest.

Simplified overview of the meaning of the Last Great Day of the Feast

As we study each of God’s seven annual Holy Days in depth, we see each Holy Day points toward an important event in God’s Plan of Salvation. The Last Great Day looks forward to the time immediately following the Millennium when the second resurrection of all mankind will occur. This is called the “Great White Throne Judgement” (Rev 20:11-13). The first resurrection was limited to the elect (the 144,000 and the great multitude), and occurs at the return of Jesus Christ. The second resurrection is for all mankind. The symbolism of the Last Great Day also includes the Kingdom of God being established here on earth. This is the final phase of the Plan of Salvation.

In Eloah’s mercy and wisdom, a resurrection to correction or teaching is in place (Jn. 5:19). Man cannot do anything to change this part of Eloah’s plan. After the Millennium, Satan will be made a man so that he can experience the grace of God; God is not a respecter of persons. Satan and the fallen Host will be given a chance to repent while living in a human body. (For more information see Lost Sheep and the Prodigal Son (No. 199) and The Judgment of the Demons (No. 80).)

From the time of Adam, all the people that have died throughout the course of creation and have not known of Eloah or His Law will be resurrected or made alive at 20 years of age. Even those who died as babies, or old people, will be 20 years old when they are resurrected. They will have two Jubilee periods, or 100 years, to learn God’s ways and live by them (Isa. 65:20). For more information see Valley of Dry Bones (No. 234).

Eloah is all-merciful. He does not want anyone to perish (2Pet. 3:9; 1Tim. 2:4; Titus 2:11) or die the second death. Therefore, it appears all men and the fallen Host are restored to the Father. There will be no resurrection from the second death.

Since God created all things, it would appear that all humans from Adam and Eve onwards and the fallen Host will qualify for some position in God’s Government. Satan and the fallen Host will not be restored to their original positions; however, they will have an opportunity to serve God upon repentance and obedience.

When sin no longer exists, God relocates to the earth. What the future holds from that point forward is not revealed in God’s word.

Meaning of numbers

As mentioned, the Last Great Day is the Seventh High Day/Sabbath feast and occurs on the 22nd day of the Seventh month. It is also referred to as the Eighth day of the feast (Jn. 7:37). We will now review the meaning of the numbers 7, 8, and 22.

Seven (7) denotes spiritual perfection. It reflects the work of the Holy Spirit as the power of God. It is the number of rest and the cycle of rest in the Jubilee. It is also the period of return to God in rest and return to His Law, and that is why the Law is read in the Sabbath year of the cycle.

We see the Last Great Day completed in the seventh month, and spiritual perfection completes Eloah’s plan of Salvation.

Twenty-two (22) is the complete number of the Hebrew alphabet in consonants, and denotes completeness. The Last Great Day, falling on the 22nd day of the 7th month, shows us the completeness of Eloah’s plan, through spiritual perfection.

Eight (8) denotes regeneration. It is the number of Christ and the mark of the creation and hence also the resurrection. Thus we also see the symbolism of new beginnings and commencement.

As we briefly reviewed earlier, the Last Great Day is the resurrection of all who have ever lived and not previously qualified for Eloah’s family. Man and fallen Host will be resurrected to a new beginning in this resurrection to correction.

It is through the completion of the activities of the Last Great Day that we are all brought into eternal life (if we were not in the first resurrection, which is a better resurrection).

Eternal life

It is important that we understand the meaning of eternal life and also immortality. The Bible tells us that the Sons of God will inherit eternal life.

1John 5:11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

The word for eternal is aionios (SGD 166) and has two meanings. It can mean without beginning and end, when referring to God the Father, or it can also mean without an end or everlasting. This is the type of eternal life that God gives to mankind and the Host. It was the eternal life that God gave to Christ. Our eternal life has a beginning, but God’s eternal life is without beginning.

Sometimes we need to be careful when we use the term eternal life because some people believe different things. Binitarians and Trinitarians often use this term to prove that both Christ and God were present before time. They believe both God the Father and Christ have the same eternal life. Also, some religions teach that eternal life will be given to physical human beings, rather than just spirit beings. For more information see Ways People attempt to do away with or Limit the Sacrifice of Messiah (No. CB122).

However, Biblical Unitarians believe that only Eloah existed forever and does not have a beginning. Eloah’s creation, including the Host and mankind, had a beginning; we were all created. We may go on to inherit eternal life (1Jn. 5:11), if we obey Eloah’s Laws and qualify to become a spiritual being. It is only in a spiritual state that we can be given eternal life and inherit the Kingdom of God. (For more information see Eternal Life (No. 133) and The Eternal Kingdom of God (No. 144).)

The qualities of eternal life are a part of the very being of the Father and He gives them to the Sons of God (Gen. 6:2.4; Job 1:6; 2:1; 39:4-7; Hos. 1:10; Rom. 8:14, 19, Gal. 4:5-6; Phil. 2:15; Heb. 12:7; 1Jn. 3:1-20). Eloah gives eternal life to those that qualify (1Jn. 5:11), and which He promised (1Jn. 2:25).

There are three fundamentals for eternal life:

1. Believing and knowing there is One True God and Jesus Christ whom He sent.

2. Faith in Jesus Christ through the knowledge of the One True God. This leads to repentance, baptism and the gift of the Holy Spirit from our faith that God raised Christ from the dead

3. Participating in the Lord’s Supper, including foot-washing, eating the bread and drinking the wine, and obeying all the Commandments. These are necessary requirements for us to retain the Holy Spirit and be in the first resurrection.

All mankind and fallen Host will have this opportunity to learn the three aspects of eternal life in the period of time symbolized by the Last Great Day.

The end result of the law is that we are able to show our love for God and love for mankind. He who does not keep the first and second great commandments will give up eternal life (1Jn. 3:14-15).

Immortality

There is another word that is used in the Bible that sometimes gets confused with eternal life. It is immortal or immortality. Immortal (SGD 862, aphthartos) means imperishable or incorruptible. It basically means something that cannot die. Immortality (SGD 110, athanasia) similarly means undying or everlasting.

Just as God alone is eternal (without beginning or end), God alone is immortal (undying). And, just as God has given the saints the promise of eternal life, He also gives the promise of immortality. God the Father cannot die because it is His power that sustains the universe. If God died, the universe would collapse.

Since God the Father existed before time, and He alone is immortal (1Tim. 6:16), time began with the creation.

1Timothy 6:16 … who alone has immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no man has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen. (RSV)

Joshua the Messiah was the first created being (Rev. 3:14; Col. 1:15). For more information see The Creation of the Family of God (No. CB4) and In the Beginning (No. CB5).

Messiah was given immortality through faith and his obedience to the Father. We too must put on the promise of immortality (1Cor. 15:53-54) once we are baptized. We will only keep immortality through our faith in Jesus Christ and our obedience to the One True God and His laws.

The Kingdom of Eloah, which is offered to the sons of men, is everlasting. Once we are spirit our reign with Messiah is everlasting.

Psalm 145:11-13 They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and tell of thy power, 12 to make known to the sons of men thy mighty deeds, and the glorious splendor of thy kingdom. 13 Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and thy dominion endures throughout all generations. The LORD is faithful in all his words, and gracious in all his deeds. (RSV)

Messiah is the image of the Father (Eph. 4:13). We are to become righteousness, holy, goodness, perfect and truth as Eloah and His Law are. We become co-heirs with Messiah in the Kingdom of God (Rom. 8:17; Jas. 2:5) and will reign with him. The Scriptures tell of Messiah’s return that will bring those who wait for him to eternal life in the first resurrection to help establish the Kingdom on earth, and reign with him on earth.

This is the exciting opportunity that awaits mankind, and the hope that should lie within all of us. That is why the Last Great Day carries so much significance. It points us toward our awesome future as spirit beings given eternal life with God our Father.

Handover to the Father

When all enemies, which include the concepts of sin and all negative or hurtful thoughts and actions, are put down Messiah will hand the Kingdom over to the Father, God Most High.

1Corinthians 15:24 Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. 25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. (RSV)

For more information see Role of Messiah (No. 227).

What an awesome concept. The Bible tells us that the Almighty God, our Father, will bring His Kingdom to earth, and He will reign supreme here on earth. By that time, all mankind will have repented and turned to God’s way of life. Everyone will have been changed to spirit beings and given immortality and eternal life. What an awesome promise that we have to look forward to!

The City of God

The last phase of the earth’s activities begins with the Great White Throne Judgment of Revelation 20. The resurrection of the dead then takes place (Rev. 20:11-15), as we have already reviewed. After the one hundred year period of judgment, all of mankind will be translated into spirit beings and inherit the Kingdom of God.

The last phase also involves the creation of a new heaven and a new earth where the former things are no longer remembered (Isa. 65:17). Hebrews 8:5 shows that the earthly tabernacle was merely a model or shadow of the spiritual heavenly tabernacle, or the City of God. The City of God will not have a physical temple; it is the spirit beings that comprise its walls and structure. The City of God is a spiritual building of immortal beings.

God is the builder of the City (Heb. 11:9). The City is built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ being the Chief cornerstone (Eph. 2:19-22). The Holy City is a spiritual edifice or building. It is made up of the sons of God. It is in four divisions of three, making twelve, which represents the twelve tribes of Israel. All of the Gentiles of every nation are allocated to these twelve groups. The twelve apostles are the judges heading the twelve tribes (Mat. 19:28); the twelve foundations of the City and the twelve stones of Israel are referred to in history and prophecy (Josh. 4:5). The 144,000 are allocated 12,000 to each tribe (Rev. 7:5-8). See also Revelation 21:15-16.

The Holy City is also as a bride adorned for her husband. The elect have already had their marriage supper with Christ so this last union refers to the final unification of the entire celestial Host under Jesus Christ (Rev 21:3-4). The Holy Spirit is the mortar or cement that builds and binds the City of God together as an edifice (Rev. 21:5-8).

The elect of the Philadelphian system are made pillars in the Temple of God (Rev. 3:12). They perform a key function for the Millennium and thus become central to the City of God.

The gate to the City is built on the law and the testimony (Isa. 8:20). It is built layer upon layer, precept upon precept and line upon line (Isa. 28:10). This forms a knowledge of the mysteries of God (Mat. 13:11-17, 18-23; Rev. 21:22-26).

God will come to the earth and transfer the administration of the universe here. The world is then full of His glory (Isa. 6:3). God and the Lamb become the lights of this system (Rev 21:1-2). God himself shall be with men. No Temple is needed as God and Christ dwell in the entire structure.

For more information on the City of God see The City of God (No. 180) and The Eternal Kingdom of God (No. 144).

Summary

The Last Great Day is kept as a Sabbath (Lev. 23:36; Num. 29:35). It occurs after the 1,000 years of the period of Just Rule is completed (Rev. 20:5). Another way to say it is: after the 7000 years from when sin entered the world through Adam and Eve. It pictures the second resurrection and the process that leads to the handover to the Father.

There will be a new heaven and earth, but there will no longer be any sea (Rev. 21:1). The New Jerusalem is coming down out of heaven from God (Rev. 21:10). There will be no sun or moon, because the glory of God will give us light and the Lamb (Christ) will be the lamp of the city. The Temple has 12 gates and all the people of the earth come into the Temple through one of gates of each of the 12 tribes and 12 apostles. God will be all and all (1Cor. 15:28; Eph. 4:6); man and Host will be working together in God’s Plan. The Bible is unclear in regard to the next phase of the Plan; however, God will make that clear when it is time for us to know.

Each Feast represents a part of the Plan of God that is still going on, so we must keep them all. God gave the Feasts to Christ and Christ gave them to us. Christ and the apostles kept all the Sabbaths, New Moons and the Feasts (Col. 2:16). The Church has kept the Sabbaths, New Moons and Feasts for over two thousand years. In the Millennium the nations will keep these Sabbaths, New Moons and Feasts also (Isa. 66:23; Zech. 14:16-19).

The Feasts are a time for rejoicing. We can look forward to the time when Christ returns and the planet will be restored to the One True God. Then everyone will keep the same Feasts and Holy Days as our Father commands.

Let us all work diligently to get the gospel to the world before the Witnesses arrive.

We are the City of God, being built upon the foundation of the apostles in Jesus Christ.

PO Box 369, WODEN ACT 2606, AUSTRALIA

Introduction