See the Kingdom in the Feast

As we see the occasional sign, such as football returning to television, National Football League, as we see the leaves turning, as we see children going back to school, and we see fall and winter fashions appearing in the stores, crops that have already ripened or almost completely ripened and harvested, we realize that summer's nearly ended and that it reminds us that God's festivals are upon us. We've already observed Feast of Trumpets, Last Sabbath, Atonement coming up on Monday.

These two days have wonderful meanings for us, the picture in them, the shadows that they portray, and that is the Feast of Trumpets, picturing the time when Christ returns to set up His Kingdom. The Last Trump, when He puts down the world's nations and those who fight against Him and establishes His Kingdom on this earth, when the saints are resurrected, the wonderful time that is when Israel's regathered and God begins His plan to deal with those people again.

Then you go to the Day of Atonement, which pictures a need for unity and oneness once the big troublemaker, Satan the Devil, has been put out of the way. Then we come to the Feast of Tabernacles. Leviticus 23 has all the feast days listed. The Feast of Tabernacles beginning September 21st, next Saturday, next Sabbath, God willing, you and I will be sitting whatever feast site we're going to, Gatlinburg or wherever it might be, and it's hard to believe, we'll be sitting at services having God's Sabbath service on that first holy day, after having already met the night before.

And of course, the last great day. Pictures a time when God rules the earth and the true judgment, a time of judgment for the rest of the world. These four holy days represent our hope and the hope of the world. They represent the hope for you and me. They represent the hope for all the millions of people who are struggling.

I couldn't help but notice the news item last night about Iraq. And they had a lady on who lived over there, and she was describing some of the inhumane treatment that Saddam Hussein perpetrates on his own people. And she was describing, and they said, now are you doing this? This is far-fetched. Are you sure this is true? And she said, I have seen it with my own eyes.

People who are dissolved in chemicals to get rid of them. You know what? You never find them again, right? They're dissolved. People who are thrown in grinders. And I thought you'd put meat in grinders while their family watches.

And they said, you think the United States ought to go in and fight them? She said, the Iraqi people will be right behind you. It's only the few that Saddam has bought off. She said he builds palaces like crazy. He hides all of his weapons. He hides his weapons and his chemical plants. Apparently they have mobile ones now. Mobile chemical plants. They're building, making plants. A world of trouble.

A world that doesn't even know. You and I will go off to keep the feast. You and I will keep the Day of Atonement, picturing a world that finally is going to get its act together. We'll keep the feast, picturing a time when people will be rejoicing together. And the world doesn't even know. They don't pay attention. Those days have little meaning.

They're kind of like lost in the law of God, somewhere back in the Old Testament that usually is discarded, except it may be good for historical reading if you want to do that. Those four holy days represent our hope and the hope of the world. The last three will be more fully explained at their observances. And I want to share with you an interesting account regarding the tremendous time to come.

It occurred to the disciples back in the days of Jesus Christ. Matthew 16 and verse 28, and it's about the Kingdom. I'd like to share it with you as a Scripture that I spring into the sermon with. Matthew 16 and verse 28, we read this. Jesus Christ said, Verily I say to you, assuredly, certainly, I say to you, there be some standing here which shall not taste of death till they see the Son of Man coming in His Kingdom. Some of you, he said, are going to see the Son of Man coming in His Kingdom. You're going to see it.

In chapter 17 verse 1, after six days, just a few days later, Jesus takes Peter, James, and John, his brother. That's some, right? It's about what is it, one-fourth of the twelve disciples. He takes Peter, James, and John, and he brings them to a high mountain apart and was transfigured before them. And his face did shine as the sun. If you read Revelation 1, you'll find that's how he'll look in his glory.

His raiment, his clothing, was white as the light. And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah talking with him, a resurrected resurrection. And then Peter answered Peter and said to Jesus, Lord, sorry, behold, they saw the three, he said, Lord, it's good for us to be here. This is fantastic to see you, to see Moses, to see Elijah. Wow! It's good for us to be here. If you will, if you want, let us make your three tabernacles. I don't know that tabernacles are used necessarily because of the Feast of Tabernacles.

Let us make three tents. Let us put up some temporary dwellings. Stay awhile, is what he's saying. Let us put something up. Stay awhile. One for you, one for Moses, one for Elijah. As you know, the Feast of Tabernacles. It's called a Feast of Tabernacles because it's a Feast of temporary dwellings showing that we do not have permanent dwelling in this world. We better not be putting our stock in this world, but in the world tomorrow.

But he's going to let us build these for you. Make these for you. Put them up for you. Verse 5, while he yet spoke, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and behold, a voice out of the clouds which said, This is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to him. Verse 6, And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid. And verse 7, And Jesus came and touched them, and he said, Arise, and be not afraid. And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man except Jesus only.

So Jesus Christ promised them, You're going to see what the Son of Man is coming in his kingdom.

So those disciples had a little tiny foretaste of the kingdom of God. Small aspect. They saw the leader, the King of Kings, Lord of Lords of that kingdom. They saw some individuals resurrected. And they had a chance to see them in their radiance, in their glory. And so they observed, and they beheld, they must have been bug-eyed when they saw this. They saw what the kingdom would be like. Just a little bit. Envision the disciples saw it. An aspect of the kingdom.

As you and I prepare for the Feast of Tabernacles, which pictures the in-dwelling, the incoming, the gathering in of all peoples, which pictures God's rule upon this earth, God's kingdom upon this earth. A time of peace, a time of plenty, a time of togetherness, a time of unity, a time of brotherly love, a time of worship of only one true God.

What a beautiful time that is ahead, as you and I go to the Feast this year, as we experience the Feast this year, will we see the kingdom of God? Will you see the kingdom of God? Now, for many of us, it is our vacation. Many people, it is the time they get off. That is their vacation time. They don't get vacation time and feasts. It is their vacation time. That's it.

Many of them, it is vacation. We want to be careful not to turn the Feast of Tabernacles into a vacation only. The Feast is a time that pictures something very beautiful and very special, not just for you, but for the world. See, as a Feast of Trumpets, as far as salvation, if you're looking for Savior-owned skin, you don't need to keep any more feasts. Feast of Trumpets is it. You've changed, from Spirit Being, from physical to Spirit. So why are you keeping Day of Atonement? Why are you fasting? It's not for you. You're fasting for the world to show a group of people drawing closer to God. Why are you keeping the Feast of Tabernacles to picture a world that's going to be beautiful, God's world? Yeah, you'll be there ruling in it, but it's God's world for the peoples of this earth. It's going to be a wonderful time. Of course, the last great day, it pictures all the people coming up in the resurrection who never had a chance, never once had a chance, were deceived by Satan the Devil throughout their lives and died never knowing the truth. They will have an opportunity to know God's way. When we go to the Feast, will we see the Kingdom?

Here's what I mean. You see, seeing the Kingdom begins with your travel.

As you begin to drive or fly, how many times do you... I don't want to ask for a show of hands. You think about it. Don't you look at those cars going fast that you fast when you stop in at a cracker barrel for your lunch? Aren't you looking and seeing if there's anybody in there that you might recognize from God's people going to observe the Feast? Don't you look in the cars to see if you see Bibles in the back window or you see kids out of school at this time of the year? What are kids doing out of school at this time of the year who should be in school? Then you're wondering, are these God's people going to the Feast? There's an excitement. And when you get there, the excitement of seeing God's people is magnified, especially if there's some there that you hadn't even anticipated being at that particular Feast site. But even brethren from here, you both go and maybe you're going to Florida, maybe you're going to Jekyll, maybe you're going to Gatlinburg, and you just leave here. You're only four hours away, whatever, that's Gatlinburg, maybe six. And as you get down there, whoops, there are God's people. But you're happy to see them again, because you're in a different setting. You all come there to gather together, and people begin to flow in from east and west and north and south coming together.

I remember one time my wife and I were over in Paris. It was just before the Feast. We were keeping in England that year, going to Channel Islands after that. We had a couple days ahead of time. And we're walking, we're going along in the subway system. Here's Paris, I don't know how many, what many million, several million, five, six, seven million. I didn't get the figure, but it's a large city. And we're going through the subway. Coming the other direction is a former Ambassador College student that I hadn't seen since she graduated, and I haven't seen since in Paris. We're going along. She said, hi, Mr. Antion. I look, and she was taking the, not the escalator, but the tram. One way, like the movable walkway. She was going this way to catch her. I was going, hi! You know, and they went by. But it was exciting. I remember walking through the airport and seeing brethren there. It's exciting to see people coming together to observe God's festival. See, if we have our eyes open, we will see that, and then we will relate that to what God's kingdom is all about. Deuteronomy 14, verses 24 and 25 tells us to go to the feast.

Deuteronomy 14, talking about the tithe that we can use for ourselves, not the tithe that's holy to God, but the tithe that we can use for ourselves. Deuteronomy 14, verse 24, and if the way be too long for you so that you are not able to carry it, all your fruit and vegetables and various other commodities, or if the place be too far from you, which the Lord your God shall choose to set his name there, where God has designated festival sites, when the Lord your God has blessed you. Verse 25, then you shall turn it into money and bind up the money in your hand, and you shall go to the place which the Lord your God shall choose.

So you shall go there. So then that travel time, you want to think about, wow, think of the time when all people are going to be coming together, when they're going to be coming to Jerusalem to learn of God's way, when they're going to be gathering in, when they're going to be pouring in from east, west, south, north to come to learn of God's way as you go to your particular site.

Think about, see the kingdom of God. Isaiah 2, verses 1 and 2, gives you that picture of individuals coming together as you leave, as you travel, and as you go, and the excitement as you go, and as you travel to the feast. Picture those who were flowing in to the kingdom of God. Isaiah 2, verses 1 and 2. The word of the Lord, the word that Isaiah the son of Amos saw concerning Judah in Jerusalem, verse 2. And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills, and all nations shall flow to it. They're going to be flowing into the kingdom of God. They're going to be coming to God and saying, teach us. We want to learn of you. So as you travel, as you go, whatever by air, by train, by car, however you're going, by bus, picture people coming together, coming together in the world tomorrow, coming together to learn of God and His ways. Isaiah 25, verses 6 to 9. Isaiah 25, verses 6 to 9. We read this beautiful prophecy. We read, And in the mountain, Isaiah 25, 6, In this mountain shall the Lord of hosts make to all people a feast of fat things. God's going to make a feast of abundance, feast of wines on the leaves, fat things full of marrow, and of wines on the leaves, well refined, that which is beautiful and succulent. Verse 7, And he will destroy in this mountain the face of the covering cast over all people. God is going to remove from people the veil of deception has been cast over their eyes, and the veil that's been spread over all nations. You want to know what that veil is? Revelation 12, 9. It talks about Satan. The devil has deceived the whole world.

Yes, you and I were in that category, too, unless you're children of church members, and you weren't quite in that category. Many of us had the fight through deception, come to understand God's way. Verse 8, He will swallow up death and victory, and the Lord God will wipe away fears from off all faces, and the rebuke of His people shall He take away from off all the earth. For the Lord has spoken it. Verse 9, and it shall be said in that day, lo, this is our God. They're going to say, look, we've come to worship God. This is our God. We've waited for Him. He will save us. This is the Lord. We have waited for Him, and we will be glad in His salvation. So they're coming together to worship God. They're coming together to see Him. Again, you know what it feels like as you travel. You go to motels, and you wonder if anybody's checked in there. You stop for lunch or dinner, and as you drive along, and as you travel, look in airports and so on, look on the airplane to see if there's anybody there.

I remember we went to the Philippines on our way from Hong Kong to the Philippines. On the same flight were three people, one from, two from Hong Kong and one from Malaysia, all going to the feast in the Philippines. They recognized me. I didn't know them. I was just walking back to go to the restroom or whatever, and they said, Mr. Antion, they recognized me.

It's thrilling and exciting to find people going, flowing. But if you see the Kingdom, you're going to be saying, you know what? Here are people all going to the same direction. Here are people all going to worship God, all going to picture the wonderful world tomorrow. And then you say, in the world tomorrow, they're going to be doing it for real. They're going there into the Kingdom of God. We're going there to picture that. They're actually going to be going there. Another thing we can do to see the Kingdom at the feast is when you arrive at the site, the joy of seeing others there, the joy of seeing others there, of being able to see them as they check in. I remember one lady down in Florida, she said, are you relatives when you're hugging each other and holding each other and smiling at each other? Are you relatives you don't look like? Are you relatives? And no, we're not relatives. Well, maybe we are spiritually, no, we're not physical relatives. And she was overwhelmed with the display of seeing each other. But think about, project that a little head. Think about what it will be like in the Kingdom when you see people who have died in the faith, when you see people that you haven't seen for years and wonder about whether or not they're going to make it, whether or not they're there. Maybe they wonder whether you're going to make it, and they're going to be surprised to see you there.

But it's going to be an awesome time. And to think that we'll see each other in glory, and see each other spiritually change from physical to spiritual condition, that's going to be an awesome time. It can't even match the joy of seeing each other, because when you see them in the Kingdom of God, they can never lose out. They will never have to die. Never have to die the second death. 1 Peter 1, verses 8 and 9 talks about the thrill that we can have and share in seeing each other in that Kingdom, in that glorified position. 1 Peter 1, verses 8 and 9, talking about Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, whom having not seen you love, in whom though you see Him not, yet believing, you rejoice with joy, unspeakable and full of glory.

Notice verse 9, receiving the outcome, the end of your faith, even the salvation of your lives.

When we are saved, finally, the unspeakable joy that's going to be there at the glory that we will all possess as being a part of the very family of God, children of God, which the Bible is full of. You're going to be His children in His family in a glorified state.

Think of the thrill. When you get down there and you happen to see different people, we're looking forward to going to Canada. We'll see many of our friends. I know already my son-in-law got to know some of the Canadians. They've already arranged to go golfing one afternoon that we're there, one morning that we're there. We're looking forward to seeing friends we haven't seen in about three years. To be able to go there and share with them, it's going to be an exciting time. But project that beyond and see the Kingdom at the feast and say, this is great to see them. What will it be like to see them in the Kingdom of God? To know that they could never fall away? To know that nothing will ever deceive them or pull them away from God? What a wonderful, beautiful time! Project it out in Psalm 133, verse 1. Also, think about the unity and the oneness that we can have, and not just for us, but for all people. Psalm 133, and verse 1. The beautiful unity and oneness that we can all have. Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity. And as you sit there, wherever it is, and sing the songs with anywhere from 300, I think 360 some, and go back over to nearly 700 over in Kelowna. But some of the areas, 1,500, 2,000, depending on the size of the feast site that you go to, the festival. As you are there and as you are observed, think about the unity and the oneness and what it takes for so many people to be able to move together in harmony and unity. And think about the unity that's going to be in the wonderful world tomorrow. John 13, 35, the love one for another. There's another thing we need to have our eyes open to and participate in. John 13, verse 35. The love that people have, one for another. I remember one time we were sitting at a restaurant, and this was in Saratoga Springs. My wife and I and our two daughters had gone to dinner before they were married. And we'd gone to dinner. We're sitting there, and we finally finished our meal, and we asked for the bill. And the waitress came and said, there is no bill.

Now, what do you mean? Somebody in this restaurant has paid your bill, and they don't want you to know who it is.

Again, it was a gesture of love. I still to this day don't know who it was, because I looked around, and they left already or what. They paid my bill.

The love of God's people, one for another in sharing. I remember the feast in trying to think where that was. Maybe it was Chattanooga. The lady came there. She had a dog. She was blind.

The dog would lie down in front of her every day. So, one day, whenever I was thinking about getting her something, I asked somebody what she would like. So, I bought her some hard-tack candy.

And I said, would you mind if I get your dog something? So, I got their dog a treat. You know what the lady told me? Every time I spoke, that dog paid attention.

Now, I don't know if that made any connection that I got of some treats, but I did. I said, do you mind if I get your dog some treats? I bought some just in case you would allow it. Here's a little gift for you, hard-tack candy. Here's a little gift for your dog.

And she said, every time I spoke, that dog paid attention. Other people went right to sleep.

So, again, the love of God that you can show to others, not necessarily animals, though animals appreciate you, picture the time when all peoples will have that loved one for another.

You know the situation. You probably saw it on the news of the three Middle Easterners who were talking about, well, September 11th. They're just, what are they going to think about that? And laughing about it, and then saying, well, that's 13. Maybe something bad is going to happen here. And, of course, they were pulled off, and they said, well, we were just joking about it. And then they said, well, there's racism here. You think, well, it is Muslims. I mean, we Muslims are being persecuted because we're Middle Easterns, so on. Yeah, I think you should be a little wary of Middle Easterners, including me. You should be wary of them, because they happen to be the ones who have been perpetrating some of the terrorism.

But think of a time when all peoples are going to worship one God and be together.

Think of a time when they're going to love one another, and not phone that hate, and think that you blow somebody up innocently, some innocent person, not innocently, but you blow somebody up who's innocent, and you think you did God a service. Remember, the Scripture says they will kill you. Think you do God a service, not our God, but their God. And that's the world we live in today. The picture of the world tomorrow, when you see God's people together, when you see them trying to care about each other and love one another and share with one another, and do little nice gestures for one another, sending little notes to them, being complimentary, being kind. And it is the time to leave our problems behind. We all have problems. We all have shortcomings. We all have difficulty. It's time to say, you know what? I'm going to leave those behind.

I'm going to go there, and I'm going to enjoy the Feast of Tabernacles, because I'm picturing a time when people are going to be very happy. I'm picturing a time when people are going to be under God, not just one nation under God, which we say in the Pledge of Allegiance, but one world under God.

And don't tell me the United Nations is one world under God, because it isn't. Everybody's there for his or her own political advantage. Well, now, if you promise Russia they can get their money back out of Iraq, then maybe they'll back you if you bomb them. What are they worried about? They don't care about people's lives. They care about getting their economic system, you know, feathered.

That's the world we live in. See the Kingdom at the Feast. See God's people loving one another. John 13, 35, By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.

Project that on to all peoples loving one another and caring about one another, more than they care about themselves. Jeremiah 31, verse 11. Jeremiah 31, verse 11, The joy of being together, the excitement. There'll probably be a fun show or family outings or various outings. Take the opportunity to be with others. Take the opportunity to share with others. Jeremiah 31, verse 11, You know what? If everybody goes to the feast and thinks, I can just do one good thing for somebody, just anybody pick somebody out, just do one good thing for them. And if other people pick somebody out, do one good thing. Think of the spirit and the attitude there will be at the feast among everybody because of the feelings that you will generate because of that. Jeremiah 31 and verse 11, For the Lord has redeemed Jacob and ransomed him from the hand of him that was stronger than he. Feast of trumpets, pictures of God having to beat off, beat them off, let my people go. Verse 12, Therefore they shall come and sing in the height of Zion. There will be special music. And when you stand and you have lots of people singing together, that's rather inspiring at the Feast of Tabernacles and having big corrals sing behind you. It's very inspiring to sing to you in special music. Shall flow together to the goodness of the Lord for wheat, for wine, for oil, when God begins to bless. And it is a time picturing you are blessed. It is a time picturing you are blessed. The world is blessed. For oil, for the young of the flock, for the herd, and their soul shall be as a watered garden. And they shall not sorrow anymore at all. Verse 13, Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance, both young men and all together. No more generation gaps. They'll be able to share with one another. Hey, there's an old man, there's a young person. Hey, we can get together and dance, a folk dance. They don't have to say, oh, that's your dance, that's my dance, that's your music, my music. They can be together. They can work together, and they can serve, and they can love together, and they can be happy together, and they can laugh together, and they can have joy together. And their soul shall be as a watered garden. They shall not sorrow anymore at all. Verse 13, they'll dance. I will turn their morning into joy. I will comfort them, make them rejoice from their sorrow. Verse 14, I will satiate the soul of my, the priests with fatness. It means I'll provide them with abundance, and that the people shall be satisfied with my goodness, says the Lord. It's a time of plenty, a time of enjoyment, a time when people are going to rejoice with one another. Many feasts have family dances, family outings, family socials. Zechariah, there'll be children's events, too. Many of them have young people's events and opportunities to be together. Zechariah, Chapter 8. And as we go to those, and as we observe those, perhaps as a chaperone, perhaps as a concerned parent going with your children. But as we go there, see the kingdom at the feast. Zechariah, Chapter 8, says this about God's kingdom. Zechariah 8, verse 5, we read, and the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in the streets thereof. Children can play in the streets and be happy.

Thus says the Lord of hosts, if it be marvelous in the eyes of the remnant of this people in these days, should it also be marvelous in my eyes, says the Lord of hosts. It's going to be a marvelous time. God says, when I look down and I see the children able to play together and be together, the complete absence of racial tensions, complete absence of any prejudice. What a wonderful world that will be. Thus says the Lord of hosts, behold, I will save my people from the east country, from the west country, and I will bring them. They shall dwell in the midst of Jerusalem, and they shall be my people, and I will be their God in truth and in righteousness. They're going to play together. They're going to have fun in the kingdom of God. As you go to the Feast of Tabernacles and you see these activities taking place. I know in Canada what we did one year said, you know, let's make something special for the little kids. So we asked some of the parents if they would mind. We'd go out and buy them some candy. So I gave a budget to some of them, and they went out and they bought candy. And they put the candy out on the stage, and they had all the young people, kids, line up, gave them a bag and let them just circle through until all the candy was gone. They could take one of each bag, or take seven, come back again, take one or two items. There are people there too, and they come back and give them one or two here. And you should have seen the smiles on their faces.

The absolute joy of being able to do something, these were like three, four, or five-year-olds.

And they were just thrilling for them. And then usually at the Feast, they had all types of stuffed animals around, you know, try to picture the kingdom, all these different animals. And at the end of the Feast, the last day, okay, kids, each one can come up and get an animal. And those kids went back so excited. Think of the excitement it's going to be in the wonderful world tomorrow, under God's rule. And they'll be able to pet those animals, not have them to cuddle in simulated form. So they'll be coming together. Also, when you go out for special meals, think about the time of abundance of God's kingdom. Deuteronomy 14, going back there once again, just for this instruction, Deuteronomy 14 for us today, God talks about us doing something you should try to set aside time to do something special with friends, with new people, do something special for some widow that you may not even know who she is. You know, just see her alone there.

Take her out to lunch. Do something nice for somebody. As you share meals with others, look at Deuteronomy chapter 14, verses 23 and 26. He said, You shall eat before the Lord your God, in the place which he shall choose, the place his name there, the tithes of your corn of your wine. Dr. Kirkpatrick did a whole Bible study on tithing. He showed this is obviously not the tithe that's dedicated to God alone. If it were, you can't touch it. Here are the tithes you can eat. Set that apart so you can use it at the festival. Tithe of your corn of your wine of your oil, the firstlings of your herds of your flocks that you may learn to fear the Lord your God always. In verse 26, And you shall bestow that money for whatever your soul desires, strongly desires, for oxen, for sheep, for wine.

That doesn't mean you can buy yourself a herd of cattle. It does mean what comes from them. And you can, I'm going to have, I'm going to think I'll have beef tonight. No, no, I think I'll have lamb. No, no, I think I'll have chicken. I don't have fish, whatever. But whatever your soul strongly desires, for wine or strong drink.

But remember, it's not the Feast of Booths. It's the Feast of Booths. There's no urging, no requirement that you have to drink anything. But if you do, you're allowed. Just don't get drunk.

And that's the theme of the Bible. He said, whatever you desire, and you shall eat there before the Lord your God. You shall rejoice, you and your household. It is a time as we go to the Feast of Tabernacles to picture that time of abundance. How abundant is it going to be in the world tomorrow? Amos 9. Here's how abundant it's going to be. Amos chapter 9.

What is it going to be like? Are these scriptures merely there for us to just say, oh, this is just some fantasy, just kind of some pipe dream, just to give people some hope, some false hope. Let's not tell them the truth. Is God untruthful? Amos 9 verse 13. Behold, the days come, says the Lord, that the plowmen shall overtake the reaper. They'll still be gathering in the crops when it's time to start preparing the field again for planting. You talk about bumper crops, you talk about abundance.

And the treader of grapes him that sows seed, and the mountains shall drop sweet wine, and the hills shall melt. Verse 14. And I will bring again the captivity. It means I'll return from captivity, my people Israel. And they shall build the waste cities and inhabit them. They shall plant vineyards and drink the wine thereof. They shall also make gardens and eat the fruit thereof. And I will plant them upon their land. They shall no more be pulled out of their land, which I have given them, says the Lord, your God. I'm going to bless them with abundance. And as we go to the feast, God wants us to picture that. Isaiah 25 and verse 6. One more scripture.

And as we sit down with a meal to someone and enjoy, you want to think about. Don't just sit there and enjoy the meal, pure meal. Oh, we're really enjoying this meal. It's great. Think about it. See the kingdom at the feast. You know, everybody's going to have this abundance at the feast, the tabernacles in the future, God's kingdom, which the feast is picturing.

In Isaiah chapter 25 and verse 6, notice, and in this mountain shall the Lord make to all people a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the leaves, a feast of fat things full of marrow of the wines on the leaves, well refined.

I'm going to give them abundance. If you want a nice bottle of wine, now's the time to get a nice bottle of wine at the feast. If you want to have a nice steak, now's the time to have that nice steak. If you want to do something nice, someone take them with you and enjoy that nice meal with you, do that and enjoy and think about the time when people are going to be abundantly blessed by God because it'll be His world. See the kingdom at the feast.

Also, while you're at the feast, enjoy the beauty of your particular feast site.

Maybe it'll be beaches. Enjoy the ocean coming and going. Last year, on our way to Australia, we stopped in Hawaii and it was so beautiful. We were getting up like 5 a.m. in the morning, pictures of me in my night shirt and sitting out there and trying to film just a few people out there on the beach, but watching the sunrise, watching sunset, it was absolutely gorgeous. In Australia, we got to feed kangaroo in the wild. We came over and gave them some crackers in this park. One of them hopped over with a little joey in its sack.

It was a fantastic... I told him this is the best part of the whole feast. That was one of the few days we had any time in the afternoon to do anything. It was so busy traveling the three sites, but it was exciting to be able to do that and to see another type of landscape than we'd ever seen before. It was beautiful. Australia is a wonderful place, but wherever you go, see the beauty. You see, God says you can see Him through what He's made, and sometimes you'll be in a city and you say, I can't see God. You know, who made all those buildings? Humans. How'd they make them? Because they have creative abilities from God.

But see nature, see animals, see the fall foliage, see the mountains, see the lakes, see the streams. And as you do, think of the abundance and blessing and wonderful time people are going to have when God makes this world His own. You know, God says He's going to make this world like the Garden of Eden. It's going to be like the Garden of Eden. Do you ever wonder what the Garden of Eden is going to look like? Be in God's kingdom. You'll know. He's going to make this world into the Garden of Eden. He promises it. And you know, for those who think those are city dwellers, and some people do prefer cities. Most of our ministry has been in cities, has not been in rural areas. We've accepted big Sandy and then we're really rural out there and a thousand or whatever, a thousand people in the whole place. But most of the time, Los Angeles and London and New York City and Toronto and Buffalo, you know, you name the city St. Louis, Missouri, those are big cities. I like cities.

You know, God says they're not going to destroy the cities. They're going to rebuild the waste cities. But they're going to be rebuilt like God wants it. They're going to be rebuilt without the pollutions that we experience in cities. Because God, oh, you need some breeze in there? Okay, we'll just take this mountain out of the way. It's gone. Now you can have the winds flowing through to blow away whatever stuff. And again, God knows how automobiles or horses or whatever the best way is. Remember, horses cause pollution too, but their pollution usually is only in the olfactory nerves, right, in the nasal area. But God has a plan, and His Kingdom is going to be fantastic. Wherever you are, enjoy, take a look and see, and appreciate what you have there. Psalms 8, verses 3 and 4. If you're in Texas, look up because you'll see the stars brighter and bigger than you've ever seen. I used to think that was a fabrication of Texans. You know, the stars at night are big and bright, deep in the heart of Texas. Well, when I lived in Texas, they were big and bright.

And that moon just seems to hang out there like you could grab it. Wherever you are, enjoy God's handy work. Take a look around you and see. And think about the time. See the beautiful parts of it. And there'll be some trashy parts, to be sure, of areas. See the beautiful parts, and think of the time when the whole world is going to be beautiful. Think of God's handy work, and think what He did, and what He will do when He's in charge, when God rules the world. Psalms 8, verses 3 and 4. When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have ordained, what is man that you're mindful of Him? Well, when I look around, I wonder, how do you ever pay any attention to us? Look at all these other things. Look at all that you've made. They're monumental. They're great. They're unfathomable to us. And the stars, which you've ordained. And man is discovering new stars and new galaxies, and new stars and new galaxies, which helps you understand, what a great God you serve. And I serve. Verse 5, For you have made Him a little lower than the angels, and you've crowned Him with glory and honor. So God wants us to look up and to see and to enjoy what He has. Romans 1 and verse 20. Romans 1 and verse 20 talks about God being able to be seen by His creation. Romans 1, verse 20.

For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen.

You know, if I were going over to Hagerstown, I think I would go to Shanksville, Pennsylvania, just to see where those brave individuals crash down and see the memorial to them.

I don't think God ever despises bravery. I don't think He ever despises resolve in individuals, those who stand for something and stand strong and stand tall.

But Romans 1 and verse 20. For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world, see, from the creation are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse. So as you go to the feast, look and enjoy His handiwork and remind you of the time, let it remind you of the time when God is going to rule the world. In Isaiah chapter 35, verses 1 and 2, and then think about these Scriptures. Isaiah 35, when I water my trees, it can almost look like they're saying thank you.

Almost looks like their leaves wave a nice little wave at me.

And the world is going to be beautiful, and the animals are going to be happy, and the fruit is going to taste like it should be, and the vegetables aren't going to just look the part, they're going to taste the part. And that's going to be a great time when God rules the world. Isaiah chapter 35, notice this beautiful millennial Scripture, Isaiah 35, verse 1, the wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them. For whom? For those, when the time comes when this world is ruled. And the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose.

Deserts rejoicing? Yeah, they're going to be happy. There's going to be some beauty out there. And it shall blossom abundantly and rejoice even with joy and singing.

The world is going to be happy. We can breathe again. No more acid rain. No more pollution.

You know, you and I don't even begin to realize how much the chemicals we breathe every day have an effect on us. Probably, it'll all be a lot healthier if we walked around with oxygen, you know, mass, oxygen, mass gone breathing. Probably would be a lot. I'm not saying do that. I'm just saying we probably would be. I remember living in California for those 10 years that we were out, 11 years we were out there. When I visited a church area, I could hardly handle it. My lungs were like, what is it? What is it? I'm not used to my, give me back. I need one or two packs of cigarettes in me. Basically, they say when you breathe smog, it's like smoking one or two packs of cigarettes a day. My lungs couldn't handle. They were so hard for them to adjust to actually, you can breathe again. Look at this fresh air in this countryside.

And at times, I'm telling you, it almost got the best of me. We try to go to the mountains or to the beach at times when it got really bad. That's what it did to people who are thinking, what does it do to vegetation, animals, when they can't tell you, you know what, I need some fresh air.

Thank God, today's coming when the world is going to rejoice.

The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it the excellency of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the Lord and the excellency of our God.

What a beautiful time! Ezekiel 36, the scripture that describes the rebuilding, talks about the Garden of Eden. Ezekiel 36 verse 34, In the desolate land shall be tilled, whereas it lay desolate in the sight of all that pass by.

And they shall say, this land that was desolate has become like the Garden of Eden.

And the waste and desolate and ruined cities are become fenced and are inhabited.

Notice, inhabitation in the cities. In verse 36, in the heathen, their left roundabout, you shall know that I, the Lord, build the ruined places and plant that that was desolate. I, the Lord, have spoken it and I will do it. And as we go to the Feast of Tabernacles and we observe and see the sights and the beauty of Mount, picture the time when the whole world is going to be that way. See the kingdom at the Feast. While we're there, let's all work together at the feast sites to note and contribute to the peace and harmony that is there. Let's determine to go there and do all we can to contribute to peace and harmony.

Isaiah 32, verses 16 to 18. Isaiah 32, verses 16 to 18. God tells us to be peaceful people. Blessed are the peacemakers. He talks about how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity, which we just read in Psalms 133. But notice over here in Psalm and Isaiah 32, the picture of the kingdom, what it's going to be like and as you participate in the feast. As you see people serving, trying to help one another. And remember the list that Mr.

Walselkopf gave to you. Remember, don't put your family last. Don't neglect them. Don't let your children go back and say, you know, my dad and mom served other people, but they forgot about us.

My dad and mom sure did a lot for others, but they didn't do much for us. They didn't help us.

They forgot us. They didn't have time for us. Remember to take time for them, too. Isaiah 32, verse 16. Then judgment shall dwell in the wilderness. Righteousness remain in the field, fruitful field. And the work of righteousness. What's going to be the effect when people live in a proper, decent way? The effect of righteousness shall be peace. And the work of righteousness shall be peace, rather, and the effect of righteousness. Quietness and assurance forever. And my people shall dwell in peaceable habitation, in insured dwellings, and in quiet, resting places.

Picture a time of peace, and as you're there, contribute to the peace and harmony at the Feast of Tabernacles. As you stand up the same, and as you rejoice in the song, and as you rejoice when other people are blessed and share their stories with you of overcoming and changing, think of the wonderful time ahead that we will have for all eternity of sharing joy and happiness and peace with others. Isaiah 35 verse 10 says, The ransoms of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads. In other words, see the kingdom. Don't just go there, sing a song. All right, yeah, sing my song. Let's get this over with. Let's get into the sermonette.

When we sing, we're singing to God. We're not singing to other people. We're singing to God. That's who we're singing to. That's why we do it. It's part of the worship service. You sing to God.

It says, They'll come singing with songs, and everlasting joy shall be upon their heads, and they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing will flee away. It is a time of rejoicing. It is a time of worshiping God. Pay attention to when someone is giving that prayer on behalf of you, so that you can say Amen at the end of it, if you agree. If you don't agree, don't say Amen. It means rarely, I agree. Because they pray. They're praying for all of us.

And as you're sitting there, and they talk about somebody being ill or somebody being afflicted, somebody having a problem, say a silent prayer for them.

And Father, you know, in the midst of announcements or whatever, say a silent prayer for them.

Worship God. Don't forget your prayer. Don't forget to study. Don't forget to listen carefully. Check your notes. I think as Mr. Wasloff mentioned, be it services.

Who's it for? Is it for me? It's not for me. Who's it for? It's for you. It's for all of us.

Be it services. Worship and adore Him. Zechariah 1416. You're picturing a time when all people are going to come before God at His feast. Because the feast pictures that in-gathering, that final gathering in of the harvest. The Bible likens the harvesting of people, likens the talks about the fields are yet ripe where the laborers to go into the harvest. Talking about being able to gather what God is calling, whom God is calling. And in the world tomorrow, He's going to be calling Allah. Zechariah 14 verse 16. It shall come to pass that everyone that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year and worship the King, the Lord of hosts, to keep the feast of tabernacles. They're going to come and worship God. Worship God at the feast. Don't just have fun. Have fun, too. Have a lot of fun. Rejoice. But worship God. Worship God. As you do, you picture a world worshiping God. You picture a time when they will be singing before God, when they'll be offering before God. Don't forget your offerings because your offerings are a way you worship God as well. You'll learn of God's ways.

Nehemiah talks about listening and hearing, and the minister stands and reads the Scripture and gives the sense of it. He gives the sense of it. He doesn't just read and lift the Scriptures. Read the Scriptures. He gives the sense of it. Nehemiah 8 talks about that. The Feast of Tabernacles is a time of growing. It's a time of letting God's law be written in your hearts more so. It's a time when you become spiritually better, and it can be a turning point for you.

I said leave your problems behind, but you may have some provoked while you're there.

It's a time of growing and changing. It's a time of listening and learning.

Because not every sermon is just going to be, here's the kingdom, what the kingdom is going to be like, here's the kingdom is going to be like. Some sermons will have something that we need to do and overcome and change if we're going to be there so that we could become better Christians. But that's reminiscent of the time when Isaiah 30, verse 20. Isaiah 30 and verse 20. We read this Millennial's prophecy. Isaiah 30 verse 20. Though the Lord gave you the bread of adversity in the water of affliction, yet shall not your teachers be removed into a corner anymore, but your eyes shall see your teachers. And God talks about those of us being given the responsibility to help in the world tomorrow. In that line in verse 21. And your ears shall hear a word behind you saying, this is the way walk you in it when you turn to the right and when you turn to the left. As we go to the Feast of Tabernacles, think about people learning God's ways, fine-tuning their lives in the world tomorrow as well. A wonderful time that God has for you and me. It is our hope, and it is the hope of the world. See it as you go to the Feast, as you observe the Feast.

See the Kingdom there. Daniel 7 verse 27 tells you, our hope is an everlasting one.

Nobody can take it from you. Whether you believe it or not, it's going to come to pass. It's the Word of God, and it's sure. Daniel 7, 27, we read this, and the Kingdom and the Dominion and the greatness of the Kingdom under the whole Heaven shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose Kingdom is an everlasting Kingdom. It's not something that's going to come and go. It's not going to be something that's going to rise and fall. It's something that's going to come and stay. It's everlasting for you and me. That's the hope that we have, and that's what we've called to see and to picture. See the Kingdom of the Feast, and all dominions shall serve and obey Him. 1 Corinthians 2 verses 9 and 10, my last Scripture. 1 Corinthians 2 verses 9 and 10.

There are many Scriptures we could go through. In fact, in Quebec, my sermon there is going to be what will the Kingdom of God be like. So, I will take a number of Scriptures and show what the system is going to be like, what the people are going to be like, what the world is going to be like, how the land is going to be, how the rulership is going to be. I'll take a number of these Millennial Scriptures because I want people to understand. I want them to see a picture of the Kingdom and keep it in front of them. But notice in 1 Corinthians 2 verses 9 and 10. Paul wrote, But as it is written, I has not seen nor hear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for them that love him.

Humanly, you can't understand it. Scripturally, I've tried to paint a picture.

Humanly, we can't understand it. I would assume the disciples had a very hard time understanding how Jesus Christ would be transfigured in one moment and untransfigured normal in the next.

But they saw him in his kingdom. They saw Jesus Christ come in his kingdom.

Verse 10, But God has revealed them to us by his Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yea, the deep things of God. So we don't need a vision or a dream if we will merely open our eyes to see and experience the goodness of God and his ways on the way to and at the feast of Tabernacles.

I want to read you a quote. It comes from a booklet that we used to put out, a very hopeful booklet years ago, titled The Wonderful World Tomorrow. Only going to read a portion of the last two pages. Under final summation, Crime, sickness, disease, pain, and suffering, gone.

Poverty, ignorance, banished, smiles on human faces, faces that radiate, wild animals tamed, air pollution, water pollution, soil pollution, gone. Crystal pure water to drink, clean, crisp, pure air to breathe. Rich black soil where deserts, mountains, and seas formerly were, producing full-flavored foods and fantastic beauty in flowers, shrubs, and trees. A world filled with happy, radiating humans, guided, helped, protected, and ruled by former mortals, now made more immortal. And all the humans realizing they too may inherit everlasting life.

In supreme happiness and thrilling joy, what a fabulous picture! As you go to the Feast of Tabernacles, God's Spirit will help you see and experience the Kingdom of God.

Keep your eyes open and see the Kingdom at the Feast.