When No More is Forever

Hello, everybody! You can wave to me, too. We are breaking out on the eighth day. Okay.

Well, good afternoon, everyone, in all seriousness, and a happy, high eighth day to each and every one of you. By the way, I'm not the only one that has just broken the rules. Charles has now broken the rules. He has said that we can applaud for all of the wonderful, special music that we've had these eight days. So will you please... because that last one was boom-boom, right?

I'm glad nobody broke out into Bravo. Okay. So anyway, I want to welcome all of you, and that have been here for this wonderful week. Again, with the music that we just had, Victor Kubik, a friend of ours, and many, you know, he used to have a phrase. He said, no, that was a wowser, that last piece of music. I was ready to go up. I thought, maybe Trump would call, you know, already. Let's go meet. So anyway, we want to welcome everybody. We want to welcome those that are online with us in all of our different sites that are gathering together, much less those that are homebound. And to recognize that as members of the body of Christ, none of us are ever truly homebound. As I said in the first message, Jesus speaking to the woman at the well, the Samaritan woman, he said, there is going to come a time, there is going to come a place when we will neither worship on that mountain or this mountain, but God is calling those to worship him in spirit and in truth. And so we have many beloved brethren that are no longer able to make the distance, etc., etc., and we want you to know that you count. I'd say let's give a big, let's let them hear and welcome them with another big round of applause for tuning into Temecula.

This is the most fun I've had. I don't have to speak. I'll just have you keep on applauding. We'll be done in about three hours because there's so much to be thankful for. And you know, I brought up this watch and I was thinking about it. I don't need it anymore because it's the eighth day. We are an eternity. There is no time. There is no space. I see some worried eyes out there. Oh, you of little faith. Okay. My good buddy down here, where is he? Well, your buddy too.

Everybody wants to be a friend of Rabo. Okay, yeah. I just gave you out my nickname from headquarters days. But anyway, it's a pleasure to be here and I would like to talk a little bit about Charles and Jackie, even though they do not want me to talk about them because Charles for being a Texan is so humble. That's kind of an oxymoron. No, just joking. But having been a festival coordinator myself 25 to 30 times along with my wife, we know what goes behind us. And it's not just Charles, but it's also Jackie and working together, serving all of us. And Charles and Jackie are dear friends. I think I mentioned before that we were in the East PM together back in Pasadena days. And then later on, we had the honor for Susan and I to be with Charles and Jackie as we married them 25, 26 years ago now. 27? Time? Tempest-Fuget.

I can tell nobody speaks Latin here. Time moves on. Okay. But anyway, thank you so very much, Charles. I know all the work that goes into this, Jackie. Thank you, because oftentimes Charles is here and Charles is there and Charles is everywhere.

And so thank you. And I'll just say one last thing before we get into the message. It's been such an honor to be able to be with all of you. Susie, my Susie, and myself to be with all of you. So many of you have been by our side and were put up with us these last 50 years in Southern California. You are all family.

You are all dear. We love you. We love those that we have been meeting left and right during this feast and those that we're meeting on board right now. And, you know, it's kind of frustrating because, you know, you keep on meeting people, meeting people, meeting people. And then to recognize we have not met everybody in this room, but I've got some good... who wants some good news today? Can I see a show of hands? We're going to have eternity to meet one another, plus the other... how many others that we heard about this morning that are going to be resurrected. There will be no time, no more time, and that we are going to have eternity to meet one another.

And to recognize that the Mater D, the owner of the shop, is God the Father, and the Mater D is Jesus Christ. He bids us to enter and to recognize that we are all going to be in the realm of the kingdom of God forever. That is something that you can take to the bank. That is something that you can put your life on. That's something that you can give your life to. And we'll be talking about that in the course of this message. I'd like us all to begin with, if you would please join me by turning over to Hebrews 12.

I invite you to open your Bibles on this day. An open Bible indicates an open heart, and you're ready to hear something and to receive something and to act upon that. Hebrews 12 verse 1 follows Hebrews 11. And again, Hebrews 11 is the great story of all of the pilgrims, all of the pilgrims, all of those who were touched and called by God to move towards a destination beyond that which they could ever remember. And it took from them. And as they were on that pilgrimage, they became different people, but they finished the road, and they are there for our example.

But I would be remiss as a speaker in the preacher of the Gospel if we did not talk about that ultimate pilgrim. And we're going to talk about him in Hebrews 12, 1 through 2. For indeed, our Christ, our Lord, our Savior, the Son of God Almighty, the one that God the Father designated to come to this earth and become like us, and to tent here, to tent and to dwell. We want to speak about him for a moment because he not only came, but we have another assignment that we learned from him, another part of our calling that is going to help you and help me to reach that destination that God intends us to, and not to come up short.

Hebrews 12, 1 through 2 is an amazing set of scriptures, and I got to thinking about it this morning. It's really an encapsulation of the entire gospel. It speaks to Passover and what occurred on that Passover in 31 A.D. It speaks to the tabernacles of dwelling and tinting and God putting skin on himself through Jesus Christ and experiencing us in this wilderness apart from the kingdom of God. And it also speaks of the eighth day. All of these come together as all the holy days do. There's a reason why God gives it to us. And notice what it says here in Hebrews 12 and verse 1, therefore we, now this was written nearly 2,000 years ago, but the we is timeless.

Therefore we also, talking about what's preceded this in Hebrews 11, therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily, even as converted members of the body of Christ, that the sin is always around the corner. And notice what it says. The call goes up and it says, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. Okay, that sounds good.

But now, what are the rest of the instructions? Allow me to read verse 2 to you. Looking unto Jesus, the author and the finisher of our faith, and that faith is not only the faith in Jesus, but the faith of Jesus, that he exercised before his father and before his fellow man when he was a pilgrim on this earth. Looking unto Jesus, the author and the finisher of her faith, who, notice, for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down on the right hand of the throne of God. I want all of you as family and myself to look at this one more time, for this will introduce the remainder of the message. Who for the joy? Who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross. As Jesus hung on that stake, staros, cross, whatever you want to call it, it was awful. As our Savior, the one whose death allows us to come before the Father, was on that mount outside the gates, outside the gates on Golgotha, the place of the skull. As he was on there and looking at the stream of pilgrims going in that day to see the sacrifice at three o'clock in the Jerusalem, and even as blood was coming down and crusting his eyes because of that crown of thorns, he saw something. He saw something. He saw beyond the moment. He saw beyond the pain as there were nails in both of his wrists, as there were nails in both of his ankles. It was tortuous. It was horrible.

And he came and bore a cross that we might one day be with his Father and our Father, and that our sins might be forgiven, and that in a sense we might be literally raised from the dead that our sin anchored us in, and we were caught loose. And yet, even with that blood running down his eyes and crusting after hours, he saw something. He looked beyond the moment. He knew it was going to be worth it. I suggest that he might have even seen you and me today. As was mentioned earlier when it talks in the John 17 and about those that will follow your word and hear your word and what I'm saying today, Jesus looked beyond that upper loft that evening of the Passover. He looked beyond that cross, and there was a joy that was set before him. Joy does not necessarily mean going to Disneyland. It's going to a different kingdom, and you can't pay your way in because it's by God's grace. There's no amount of works. There's no amount of money that we can give. Knowing our Father, having him revealed to us is none other than a miracle of grace and favor that God has called you and me in this 20th and 21st century to also, as our Savior did to bear a cross, that we will bear a cross, as it says in Luke 14, 26 to 27. We will never bear that cross. That is different. That was the cross that the Savior for all mankind bore. But he said, if you're going to follow me, he said it will be worth it. He said it will be worth it. But also, to remember always that before we bear a crown, we will bear a cross. And that's the deal that we make with God when we submit and surrender to him. That before we bear a crown, we're going to bear a cross. And there's a purpose for that, as we've been hearing all day long, all through this phase, that we are becoming spirits of experience. Spirits of experience. Hmm. I've shared recently with my congregations here in the Southland that sometimes I find myself unable to fully understand what somebody else says, because I've not swum in those waters. Sometimes it might be about illness, sometimes it might be about a marriage, sometimes it is about a death. There are times when I can relate, but my relatability sometimes is limited. Sometimes I'll use an example. Sometimes I will deal with people that have Alzheimer's. Their maid has had Alzheimer's. I can understand Alzheimer's, but I can only understand it so much. My mother, many of you remember my mother, Thomasina Weber, she died about 13 years ago, but my mother had Alzheimer's for about the last year and a half. And I understood that through being a son and being a child. And so it gives me great empathy, not just sympathy, but empathy towards that. But then when I have people whose mates, their beloved dear ones that they've known since they were teenagers and young people, and then their mate has Alzheimer's, and their mate doesn't even know them. I will tell them I'm on the outside of the goldfish bowl looking in, and I'm close. But I have not swum in that water. Susie and I, hi Susie, Susie and I have been married for 52 years.

It's a long time. I hope it's longer.

But we've not had that experience. So at times, even as a minister of Jesus Christ, I have to back up a little bit, back up a little bit, and come at a little bit different angle.

I want to relate this to you because this is what we're training for as a kingdom of priests, as a realm of teachers. That some of the things that you and I are going through right now are to prepare us for the wonderful world tomorrow. That we might come alongside, and not only think we understand, but we have walked that walk already before those people, and to put our arm around them, and to let them know that it's okay. See, that's what Jesus Christ saw, for the joy that was set before him, for each and every one of us, that we would one day be welcomed by him who is the door, who is the gate, of whom we come through to the Father, that we'll be there with them. Join me if it's so...

The joy set before him. Covey has a very famous phrase. Covey was a Mormon, a very good writer, very good teacher, and some of you will be familiar with his book, Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. This is the time you can take a note if you want to. Covey had one of his principles, this, and that is simply this, that we begin with the end in mind. And that's why we rehearsed these festivals year in and year out. We begin now with the end in mind. And Jesus Christ, on the cross, knew that that was not going to be the end, and he looked beyond that, recognizing that this was his preparation. That in his life coming down here is the ultimate pilgrim, and to Schenu, I didn't say Scooby-Doo, I said to Schenu to dwelt with us, to tint with us, was the ultimate that he came to this earth and tabernacled with us, that God through him might touch man, and that through him God might be touched by man. He is that bridge. He is that conduit. And so he begins with the mind. Join me if you would in Isaiah 46. In Isaiah 46, and let's pick up the thought. If I can find it here, excuse me a second. Yeah, Isaiah 46. Okay. And picking up the thought in verse 8. Talking about the beginning and the end of mind. Remember this and show yourselves, man. Recall to mind, O you just transgressors. Remember the former things of old. Now notice, for I am, I am God. And there is none other. I am God. And there is none like me. Declaring the end from the beginning and from the ancient times things that are not yet done, saying, my counsel shall stand. And I will do all of my pleasure.

Calling a bird of prey from the east, the man who executes my counsel from afar country. Indeed, I have spoken it. I will also bring it to pass and have purposed it. And notice that's the best part of all. I will also do it. I will do it. It's like the old story of Babe Ruth, the Bambino. Now some of you kids think I'm old. I'm not that old as Babe Ruth, okay? Don't take me back too far. I'm more of a Mickey Mantle and a Roger Mariska. Throw in Willie Mays and Hank Aaron. Those are the only four ballplayers I know. I'm doing pretty good. Okay. But back in the 20s, Babe Ruth went up. He was the lefty and he pointed to left field. Many of you know this story, don't you? He pointed there and what was he saying? It's going to go out right there. Put on your seat belts. It's about to happen. And the Bambino came up. He was the lefty.

God is going to do that. What he says he's going to do, he's going to do. And it's going to not only go out, but it's going to come out, come out for each and every one of us the way that he would like. Let's consider the total ramifications of how this impacts our future. Not only our future, but what we are doing now. As Mr. Jim Tuck, my good friend, lifetime friend, spoke about this morning, I'd like to build upon that. At its core, this festival, the eighth day, directs our hearts and minds to a future when all those who ever lived will be granted opportunity to truly and fully surrender every aspect of their lives to our Heavenly Father through that doorway, that gate of Jesus Christ. Through Scripture and Revelation, this is what we believe. As members of the body of Christ, we believe every human being that has ever lived that is made in the image and the likeness of God Almighty will have opportunity to truly and fully know Him, love Him, obey Him.

They, like those today that have heeded the grace-filled call of God, coming to Him in faith, repenting of their sins, living in and by His Word and are invited into eternity.

I want to use a phrase. We can learn something here. Every human being is going to be given opportunity. I like to use the word and to jostle it around. I'm going to give you a little snapshot from Pasadena days, having grown up there and being with Mr. Armstrong going way back.

One time, Mr. Armstrong got a little excited. Not the last time he ever got excited, but, you know, he's excited. We were at a Bible study and the audience was there to receive whatever came his way and he says, brethren, I'm going to tell you right now, some of you are using the word chance. You are not being called by chance. God does not operate... were you there? You're nodding.

You're not falling asleep. But he said, God deals with opportunity, not chance. I mean, that's how God is. He is. And he knows everything that's going down there and he knows when you are being called and invited to be a member of his family. You have to understand what the word opportunity means. Most of you probably don't speak Greek. Like Homer said, it's all Greek to me. Opportunity. Think about it for a moment. O-port-unity. The word, the key word there is port. The word comes from that there was a special time when the vessels out to sea would come towards the harbor. And as they came to the harbor, because of the tide going up and down, there was a specific, unique time that that boat was able to come to shore, that was the time of their opportunity. God knows. He calls and gives us opportunity. He has reached down to you in Arizona and Texas and Alabama and Georgia and wherever you're from, from the islands down in the Caribbean. God does not deal in chance. He did not blow it by calling you. He knows exactly what he's doing. And this is the time of our opportunity. This is the time when God has said, come and learn and stand on the shores of the kingdom and learn more about my son, the captain of your salvation. So we look at that and we move forward. I'm going to share something here with you. I want to talk about eternity for a moment. Would you join me if you would in Isaiah 57.15. In Isaiah 57.15, a description of eternity. For thus says the high and the lofty one who inhabits eternity, whose name is holy, I dwell in the high and holy place. Let me repeat that. For thus says the high and the lofty one who inhabits eternity, whose name is holy, I dwell in the high and lofty place.

This is the only time that the word eternity is used in the Old Testament. I'm going to give you the Hebrew word for it. It will not be hard to spell. This is called a tufur. A-D. A-D. Odd. Only time you'll find eternity mentioned in the Old Testament and the term is odd. Now with two letters, how far can you go and what does that describe? The definition behind that is very interesting. We look at this and recognize that it can mean a multiple of things. As my eyes are looking for it to find it, I'm sorry, my eyes are dimming here a little bit.

Let me find it here. I have all these definitions. Okay, yeah. It means odd, means eternity, means evermore. It means perpetually. It means world without end. It means so much more even than that when we think about it. And to recognize that's what we're being called to. Where there is no time, where there is no space. A completely different level and realm that we, our minds and our bodies are not prepared to deal with because we're in this physical realm.

I remember when I was a young person, I used to try to describe eternity by a string going this way, both ways, and never meeting, just going on and on and on. But I came to realize I'm still using things that are spatial, that I'm comfortable with, that I understand in the world of time and space. There is no x that marks the spot in using rulers. It doesn't work. We're going to be in a different realm, folks, as we've heard this morning, that the heavens are going to dissolve. They're going to melt away. And that's why the eighth day is so special, because it's something completely different. When we look at the creative week of the seven days from the first seven, that's part of the physical creation that has spiritual overtones, obviously, as the seventh day ultimately represents the millennium, that thousand-year period, etc., etc. But we now move beyond that. We're in a different world. We're in the eighth day. The eighth day, and why we do call it the eighth day, is because we say, I just talked to somebody else, the other dear friend, and he said, the eighth day, that's it. We just call it the eighth day. And there's always this extra, like, the eighth day, that's it. Yeah, that's that. But you have to understand what the eighth day means. If you have a seven-day creative week, now you're stepping into something new. Extend it from that. When you go back to the Old Testament, you understand that in the Leviticus 23, it's called the eighth day. But there are so many aspects of the eighth day. You look at circumcision of a little boy within a covenant people. They were circumcised. What day were they circumcised on? As the Church of God members, you should know this one.

You're circumcised on the eighth day. The priests of old were, in that sense, ordained and commissioned on the eighth day. You go to the book of Ezekiel, and you read about the millennial temple. And the millennial temple in the altar thereof is concentrated in that vision on the eighth day. The firstborn of the land would be set apart, sanctified on the eighth day. What we're basically talking about here, dear friends, is we're talking about something that is next beyond, consecrated, sanctified by God Almighty, in which He exists, in which He surrounds, and invites those people to be a part of them. The eighth day is very, very special. And we look at this then, and we go further. How then do I describe the eighth day? I'm going to do something a little unique about the eighth day this year. I'm going to give you snapshots out of Scripture.

Snapshots. Snapshots out of Scripture as to what will not be in the eighth day.

And I think you're going to rejoice as I tell you this as we go along, and I think it's going to be important to be able to do so. So this afternoon, number one, I want to remind and refresh and encourage you as to what will be missing in eternity, which leads me to the title of my message. Here we go. When no more is forever. When no more is forever. It almost sounds like an oxymoron, doesn't it? And then number two, ultimately understanding what will be missing and not allowed to be in that world, in that existence, world spatial, in that existence and in that environment, is what we need to absolutely be working on today. So we're going to go into then number two. Yeah, I already mentioned that. First of all, let's grasp who fills up the picture. For every cause there's an effect. Join me if you would in Revelation 21. Revelation 21.

Revelation 21. And verse one. Now. Can I tell you something? My congregations know how I love small words.

The small words in the Bible are sometimes the most powerful because it sets the stage. Like now. So what was happening before? Now and or then and or so. And my favorite, favorite small word has three letters. But. B-U-T. How often do we bump into but and everything changes? We say, whatever, what do you mean? If you go to Genesis six, God recognizes that the world is going to have to go down. It's not doing too well there before the flood. And then it says, comma, but, but for Noah who found grace. I'll use another one in the New Testament.

Remember how all the disciples were really nervous about Paul coming, saw at that time coming into town, you know? And then it says, but, comma, but for Barnabas. So you look for these little words when you're studying sometimes because it's kind of like ringing a gong. Something is about to happen. Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. And then I, John, saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, Behold the tabernacle of God, the dwelling of God with them, and they shall be his people. God himself will be with them and be their God. It is the ultimate tabernacling that God in that proverbial metaphorical sense comes now as Jesus Christ. And I want you to think about this in 1 Corinthians 15, 23 or so. And it says about your Savior and our example, that when everything is done that the Father gives him to do, to bring this earth, it says then, it says, and then Christ will hand over. Think about this. Think about world rulers. Think about Charlemagne. Think about Cyrus the Great. Think about Napoleon. Think about Genghis Khan. Great conquerors. And here's a righteous conqueror, our Lord. And the Father trusts him so much and the Son loves the Father so much that then he hands everything over to the Father.

Hmm. Just a thought on this eighth day. What haven't we handed over in our personal kingdom today as we're about to go out the door?

Have we completely surrendered everything that God has put into our charge for the moment, recognizing that all things, all things, they come from God. So we take a look at this. God is going to come down and it's going to be like Eden revisited. Eden on steroids. He's going to dwell.

He's going to dwell with us. He wants a relationship. He wants to be just like in Eden at the very beginning that God was in the garden and all he wanted was a relationship.

He wanted as he created Adam to be able to, as Adam woke up from that creation and that molding out of clay, he wanted to have a visual of looking into Adam's eyes. And Adam looking into his eyes, back and forth, uniting, connecting, being, one.

But you and I know the rest of the story. That story, though, continues today because that's exactly what God wants out of you and out of me. I'd like you to go to Isaiah 62. Maybe you've never seen this in Isaiah 62. It's one of my favorite verses. I've often used it when we used to do the World News and Prophecy Seminars around the nation and Canada.

This not only speaks to Israel. This does not just speak to the covenant people of old, but it speaks to the covenant people of God today. For Zion's sake I will not hold my peace. And for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest until her righteousness goes forth as brightness and her salvation as a lamp that turns. And the Gentiles shall see her righteousness and all kings your glory and you shall be called by a new name. Today I want to announce to you another name of God.

It says that he will not rest. Are you with me? Do you understand? We're going to talk about something here. It says that he is not going to rest. Do you recognize that you worship the restless God? You ever thought about God being restless? Now I know sometimes after I've spoken for three hours and not stopped, people get a little restless. They start moving in their chairs. We're talking about a different kind of restless. God is restless. As we covered earlier, if God says he's going to do it, he's going to do it. He's going to put everything into it. It's not a game. It is what his will is and he says that he will do it. Now he says, okay, I can get that with Israel. I kind of get that over there with Jacob. I get that kind of with everybody else. I'm looking around in this audience. I'm talking to you and I'm talking to me. As Dr. Zimmerman used to say to the part of the family here, what's your name? You fill your name in.

Wherever you're at today, whatever is going on in your mind, whatever is going on in your heart, we worship not only a loving and grace-filled God. He is restless to ensure as much as he is able through his Son that we will grow in the grace and the knowledge of that Son. And that you and I have not just come here to show up for seven days plus one, but to grow up in the Lord, to mature. Susie, this is Susie's 63rd Feast of Tabernacles. This is my 62nd.

And so all this excitement, because I get excited talking about God, I'm sorry, just do. This is about me too. What have you learned during this Feast of Tabernacles? What have you learned so far during this, the eighth day festival? We're not here to put in time. We are here to grow in that grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, to go to a realm in which there is no time, in which we will experience holiness. I was going to say 25 hours on a 24-hour day, but Howard, he's looking at me every time I go, can't do that. There'll be no time. We're in eternity. What is going to be there?

What is not going to be there? I'm just going to go through these very quickly, and I'm going to share what. If you want my notes, which are very detailed, you just email and I'll send you out my notes. But I'm going to go down this very quickly, very quickly. Number one. Number one, there's going to be no more veil. No more veil. We just came off the Day of Atonement, where there was the curtain. In times of yore, there were the carobim. Only one man was to go into a tone for all of Israel once a year. There is going to be no veil. There are not going to be any spooky, scary carobim creatures keeping you out, just in case you think you're going to go in. You go, nope, just once a year. Okay. There's going to be no more veil. And I want to share something, what happens when there is no more veil. Join me if you would in 1 John. In 1 John, the epistle thereof.

1 John 3. Notice what it says. Behold, what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we shall be called the children of God. Therefore, the world does not know us because it did not know Him. Beloved, but now we are the children of God, and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be. But we know. I have a question. Do you know? Do you grasp this? Have you internalized it? But we know that it has been revealed that when He is revealed, we shall see Him.

For we shall see Him face to face. I want you to think about that for a moment. There'll be no more veil.

We today have access to come to the Father through Jesus Christ. But this is kind of a little bit like up close and comfortable. Neighbors, we're going to be able to look upon the Father, remembering back in the Pentateuch when Moses was given just a glimpse, a glimpse of the I.M.

He had to be behind a boulder, and He just got the backside of the I.M. You and I are going to be able to be able to see God. Have you ever kind of cogitated? It's kind of a fancy Hebrew word. Have you ever cogitated on just being face to face with God the Father? This testimony says that you're going to and you're going to have that access, not like, okay, five minutes, no, forever and ever.

Just think about it. Let it soak in. We just simply don't have that kind of equipment right now. That's why we have to be resurrected and being given the glorified body. We don't have it right now. We would melt like a Hershey chocolate out on the 99 going up to Sacramento in the summer.

There's going to be no more veil.

Number two, there's going to be no more going out. No more going out. Would you join me in Revelation three? In Revelation three. In picking up the thought if we could in verse 12. This is speaking to all seven churches. Revelation two and three is written to the whole body of Christ at that time. The scroll was read throughout to all of the churches. This speaks to all of the churches, even though as we see it is spoken to the Philadelphia church. It says this, He that overcomes I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go out no more.

And I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from my God, and I will write on him my new name.

What does this tell you and tell me?

It tells me the preciousness, just talking to y'all, it tells me the preciousness of the calling of being a first fruit. God is extremely merciful, abundant in mercy. He wants all to be in his family forever. But never mistake your calling now to be a first fruit. I'm going to share something with you. God has not called you to be a second fruit. God has not called us to be a third fruit.

You never want to underestimate what is being spoken to here in these letters to the churches that God is calling us to be a first fruit. And there is an abundant...

you can say reward. Sounds like something we're working up to, but it is a blessing. But why is this so important? Here's what I want to share with you, especially as some of you are in these... help me... are they called... remember, I'm the one that doesn't know how to text, so I'm a little behind the scenes. What are they called? RBNBs? Nathan, what are they called? These places you're in.

Airbnb? Thank you. Is that Aramaic?

Airbnb. I want to show you... oh, I don't have it. I do. This is what I operate off of.

I'm saving this up. It's going to become valuable pretty soon.

It's going from a collectible to an antique anytime, Charles.

In all seriousness, though, what I want to share with you... and have you not felt like you're home this weekend? This week, actually... pardon me... how many of you felt... we've been home. You know, I talked to some of the employees today and they just said, it is so... your people are so wonderful. They are so friendly. They are so thankful. And I said, well, get ready. We're coming back again next year.

That is the next true second coming. Brethren, we're at home. We're a family. I've known some of you. Susie has known some of you through thick and thin laughter and tears. This church, that church, that congregation.

We've done a lot of life together and I'm not talking about prison. We've done a lot of life together. I have to tell you a story. You know, you meet so many people and somebody came up to me and the worst thing that can happen when you're in a group like this, because you're the pastor and you know you're supposed to have the immortal memory, which I don't, and says, you remember me and I'm in the back of my mind and go, no, I really don't. Yeah, not at first faith. Had a gentleman that I've worked with for many, many years. He can't... So he did that. So he says, no, I'm sorry. I don't remember me. And then he says, this gets worse before it gets better. He says, you baptized me. I'm going, oh no.

And then he said, I'm Kimbo. And I went like this, oh Kimbo!

Held him for at least half a minute just to let him know that I really did remember him.

That's being family. That's being home. And what I want to share with you in this point about no more going out, we've done a lot of renting up facilities this week. What I want to share with you in all seriousness is simply this. God is not just creating an eternal house. That's structural. We're an eternity. God is creating a home. What's the difference between a home and a house?

A house is created through blueprints. A home, our home in heaven that's going to come down to this earth, it is structured by heart prints. And there's a world of difference between blueprints and heart prints. And God has a heart for us so much that he gave us his son, that whomever might believe within him might not perish but have life everlasting. There's going to be no going out. Let's talk about another one. Let's join me in Micah 5. We're going to go back to the Micah.

Micah 5. Micah 5. That may not be the one I want. Let's find out. I can't see number one.

I'll tell you what. I'm going to go to a safer one here that I know.

One second.

One second.

See, it's fun experiencing eternity on the eighth day because I have all the time to find this scripture. And I know it's here somewhere. Okay. It's Isaiah 2. I'm picking up the thought in verse 4.

He shall judge between the nations and rebuke many people. They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spirits into pruning hooks. Neither shall they lift up sword against nation. Now notice this, brethren. Notice this. Neither shall they learn war anymore.

There shall be no more war. It has been calculated that there's 6,000 years of human history that we can kind of delve with. Out of that 6,000 years, only 300 years within that 6,000 have somehow—I don't know how that person is that was doing the researching—but that has been detected that there is possibly 300 years without conflict. No more war.

Many of our family members have been at war. Mr. Helgi, who spoke to us the other day, who was a good friend of my dad—they were both Marines—and all those 12 million GI Joes during World War II. And all the men that were in that very tough and difficult war over in the cold of Korea. And to think of my generation, those that went to Vietnam, and sometimes you say, for what? Those brave souls that have been over in Afghanistan, that have been over in Iraq. And some of them coming back without limbs. Some of them coming back without their minds.

And no matter who you were, like my dad, who had three landings, one at Guadalcanal, one at Palaloo, and one at Bougainville. I talked to my older cousin one time, a little bit older, and she said, my parents always said, that your dad was never the same. And many of you know, I think my dad is better known than I am around the world sometimes, you know. How about your dad? But these men, they've experienced things that human beings are not supposed to see. And there's going to be no more war. It's interesting that Robert E. Lee, the commander of the Southern forces, once said that it is well that war is so horrible.

Lest we forget. But it seems as if every generation forgets. I grew up reading books, and I remember the story about Armistice Day after World War I. And probably Nathan, you've probably been down to Belgium and all those areas, the Somnes and all the different battles. But then there came a time, there came a time, it was in the 11th month of the 11th day of the 11th hour.

That the roar of the guns stopped over the muddy fields of Belgium and Netherlands and Germany.

And the bells began to ring.

And on the field for the very first time, you could hear the chirp of the sparrows. Armistice Day. The roar of the guns stopped.

The war to end all wars.

As John Garner, who you heard speak the other day, would say, well, how did that work?

It hasn't. And it's only when the King of kings and the Lord of lords come to the clouds that peace will be had and all will be quiet. Not only on the western front, but throughout the world. The quiet will come. And as it says in the Psalms, there will be a stillness and be still and know that I am God. Our Father above and his Christ, with everything that's going on right now, deserve more than ever the ultimate universal Nobel Prize. Because they will bring peace once and forever, and there will be no more war. Let's go to another one here.

There will be, let's go to Revelation 21 verse 4. Revelation 21 verse 4.

Revelation 21 verse 4. Notice, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away. I want you for a moment to go a little bit deeper and notice the words. Words have meaning. They have power. They have substance. And notice this, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Dear brethren here in Tecmecula and those that are listening, there is an intimacy. There is an intimacy. This is the God that reaches down and touches us. This is the God that understands where we've been at. After all, He is the one through His Son that created tears.

And how many tears have been shed over these years?

It says, and God will wipe away, notice every tear, not every other tear. There will only be one set of tears that will be allowed. You know what those are? Because those happen too, don't they? Tears of joy. Did you see some of the reconciliation pictures that have come between the hostages and their families over in Israel the last couple of days? Now, those are tears of joy.

They never thought that they would ever see their family members again. And those embraces, those hugs, they should go into the Guinness Book of World Records. That's what the wonderful world tomorrow is going to be like when we see one another. There's going to be no more tears. There's going to be no more sorrow. There's going to be no more pain. There's going to be no more separation in Revelation 1. It says, there will be no more seas. What's that mean? Pacific, Atlantic, Arctic? You name it? No. In ancient times, the seas were spooky. The early navigators were basically what we call coast huggers. They felt safe around the land. To go out into the sea was to go where it was deep. And there were thoughts of Leviathan. There were thoughts of sea monsters. People didn't do that. Thus, when there was a sea, it separated people. It created buffers. It created barriers. God said this. You have to understand, the book of Revelation is written in apocalyptic form. And it's not just flowery. It really does mean real things when you get underneath the words. There's going to be no more barriers. No more barriers in eternity between the inhabitants of that realm, you and me. Do you see yourself there? And there's going to be no barrier between us and God. And there's going to be no barrier between the fellow citizens of the heavenly kingdom of God. This is what Jesus saw as the blood came down his eyes. And he looked off into the distance and was in that moment, at that beginning, seeing this end in mind that you and I might be there. No, Charles, I have about 15 more no-mores, but we're not going to go there. We're going to cut to the quick. How many think you got the point that there's going to be no more so I can move on?

Okay. How many of you want to be here another three hours?

Charles may never let me speak again if I don't. There will be no more speaking from Weber.

In all seriousness. And I think most of you know I have a lot of fun, but I'm dead serious. I've been called to be a minister of dead serious, but I like to move the pitches around a little bit. And now we're going to get very, very serious, alive serious. We're about to go out into the world together, brethren. We're going to be facing challenges just like Jesus Christ did. He said, if they persecuted me, they will persecute you. He has said that if I bear across, you'll have to bear across. Because before we bear that crown, we have to bear across. That's the deal that we make at baptism with our father and with his son.

There's two things I want to share with you. As you come up against situations to create in you the ability to understand the no more that is coming. There's just two things that you're going to have to understand. There are two questions.

Remember how my wife told me I don't just have the day, but the moment?

Moments will come at us that we're not necessarily prepared for, even after we've prayed and studied and everything else. Because we thought it might come another way. There are two things that I want to... This is called note-taking time if you want to take it. This is going to be simple. There are two things that you need to be aware of that are going to come your way.

Because we're never going to be quite prepared because, well, that's a part of the lesson plan.

It says in Revelation 3 and verse 20, it says that I stand at the door and knock, and those that opened that door to me, I will come in and dine. God in His love and His mercy for us, and in the training that we're going through, is the great interrupter. And He intervenes sometimes in times that we're not prepared for. And we will hear that knock. And there's two questions at a moment when you need Him the most to strengthen you for what confronts you or is in front of you. There are just simply two questions. They are very simple that every disciple of Jesus Christ, every child of the Father, must be prepared to answer. Number one, the same question that was asked of Paul, asked of Peter, who do you say I am? Who do you say that I am?

But that's not enough to know to know Jesus Christ. Because then comes the next question. Do you love me? Do you? Not Peter, not Robin, not Susie, not Tina, not Howard.

I already mentioned your name, Nathan. Tamala. But as it comes to you, will you be ready?

Who do you say that I am? Not the world.

Not just because you know Him or you know the doctrines of the Bible, but in the moment, who do you say that I am?

And then number two, do you love me? Do you, even as I mentioned to Peter, do you even just like me? Do you love me? You know, it says in 2 Timothy 4, 6 through 8 about those that love His appearing. We're not only just talking about the seventh Trump, we're also talking about now. Do you anticipate His appearing? Do you anticipate His involvement in your life? Are you ready to surrender to Him more than ever and to learn from Him, to be like Him?

The two great questions. Because it starts deep.

At times, I think sometimes we pride ourselves on what we know or what God has revealed to us. Pride only carries you so far. It's not what you know, it's what you practice. And that's why we love Jesus Christ so much because He practiced what He preached.

Do you love me?

How many of you are looking forward to seeing Jesus Christ come back as King of Kings and Lord of Lords? Can I see a show? Good group. Okay, that's a word.

But what are you looking for? You know, when we go to the airport, we might even know when the plane is coming in to the airport. But what are we looking for?

Are we looking for the plane to land? And are we looking for somebody to come out of that plane? Out of that plane? That we love? A mother, a father, a daughter, a son, a grandparent?

And in that sense, at the arrival of the kingdom.

Okay, didn't set dates, but I was pretty close.

What are we looking for? The clouds?

Or are we looking for the one that loved us so very much that he gave his life for us? Those two questions need to be answered this way.

Three invites. You will recognize these because often what I've written over the years.

Three things, and you have to be prepared for this, for God's Spirit to be activated in you. Number one, Isaiah 30, 21, this is the way. Walk you in it.

That's got to be your spiritual app. Remember, this is from the guy that doesn't text. That's got to be on your spiritual app at all times. Not out here, but at the beginning. You know, we can even do the right thing but have the wrong motives for doing the right things.

We've got to start with our hearts. We've got to start down deep. Our heart is the motor. It is the operating engine. Our heart then affects our thoughts. Our thoughts then affect our words. Our words then affect our actions. Our actions then affect our deeds. But it's got to start out why you do what you're doing for who you're doing it for. Number two, follow me.

I think there's a guy that writes a column by that name, right?

Follow me. It's not enough just to be showing this is the way. Walk you in it. You've got to start following the Good Shepherd. See how this works? And then number three, the last invite, is that when we go that way, when we follow the Great Shepherd, we then will hear these beautiful words, enter into my joy.

I want to share a story with you to conclude with.

150 years ago, there was a great Indian chief. Some of you will know this story from the Northwest.

And his name was Chief Joseph of the Ness Pierce Tribe.

Unfortunately, when you read American history, the Native Americans at times had a rough go with the U.S. government. And yes, promises were broken. Chief Joseph of the Ness Pierce Tribe finally had it up to, as we say in the city, up to here. And you know what? That famous expression, off the reservation. He took 700 people off the reservation. He took his tribe with them.

200 that were warriors. 200 that were warriors. In the course of a couple of years, as they went through Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and parts of Montana, he held off that army of 2,000 army. They had met four skirmishes, and each time he got away, he was a military genius in that sense with a headdress on. But this went on and on and on.

And there came a time, as he was trying to make it up to the Canadian border, that he finally stopped. He'd been going around in circles. Circles in Washington, Oregon, etc.

He was near the Canadian border. But with all of his ingenuity and all of his genius, as far as being tactical, as far as dealing with the army and winning engagements, he knew that he could go no further no longer. And so, as the army came to him, he said, he spoke to his chiefs. He said, my chiefs, we can go no further. My warriors have died.

Our children are missing. They may be freezing out there.

And then he said something that I want to share with you that I hope you will always remember the days of your life. This man, as he was about to surrender, and talking to his chiefs as he surrendered to the U.S. Army, to be put back on that reservation, which we have a much better reservation that we're going to. But he said, from where the sun stands, from where the sun stands, I shall fight no more forever. I shall fight no more forever. During these seven days, plus one speaking of eternity, are you still fighting? Are you still buckling God? Are you still your life going around in circles?

Or are you ready to make a difference?

Are you not only willing to read the Bible and bend your knees and bow your knees, but bow your heart and allow your life to begin to have the full meaning that God intended from the very beginning?

We have shown up. Now God is asking us to go out there to a world that needs your light and to grow up. You know, after all, after a thousand years, aren't you supposed to be just a little bit different? Will you join me? This is just Robin talk. Most of you know me. I just like to go by Robin anymore. I remember in Pasadena when I was 24, I got to thinking my first name was Mr. I've said that a long time ago. I'm going through the same journey that you are. I want to share a thought with you as I conclude. I think of the story of Esther and what she was going to do. There are the doors and you remember the doors that Esther was on one side with Mordecai and the ruler of the Persian Empire was on the other. And her kinsman, Mordecai, simply said this to you, and these are the words that I would leave with you, for who knows that for such a time as now that the kingdom has come. Let us go out filled with the joy from the present to what we know is coming in the future when no more will be forever. And to know that as we go out, the Good Shepherd knows our name, the Father knows all that have called him, and their spirit dwells in us as the ultimate spiritual GPS. For such a time as now, this is your moment. This has been lecture.

Now the lab session begins. And as you go out those doors, may God bless you, may God keep you now and forevermore, dear friends.