The Eighth Day, also known as the Last Great Day, is a significant holy day in Leviticus 23, marking a sacred assembly and Sabbath rest distinct from the Feast of Tabernacles. It symbolizes the second resurrection and Great White Throne Judgment, a future time of hope when billions, previously uncalled, will have 100 years to learn God's ways without satan's influence. Guided by spirit-composed teachers, they can achieve salvation. Representing renewal and superabundance, this day emphasizes Christ as all-encompassing, urging reflection on feast lessons and rededication to God. It envisions a perfected world, free from suffering, where God's fairness, mercy, and desire for all to be saved prevail.

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The Last Great Day

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John O. Reid

The Last Great Day holds a special significance as it encourages us during our departure from the Feast of Tabernacles. This day, planned by God the Father and the One who became Jesus Christ since the time of Adam and Eve, or perhaps even before, pictures an extraordinary event beyond human imagination. It represents a miraculous time of rejoicing for God the Father, Jesus Christ, the 24 elders, the host of heaven, and all of us changed into spirit sons, as we celebrate our collective success. This day symbolizes the resurrection of our loved ones whom we dearly miss, offering hope and encouragement as we return home. It envisions a future where those who suffered in war, lost limbs, were blinded, lame, or died in sickness will be resurrected to new, healthy bodies in a perfected world free from crime, prejudice, war, hatred, lust, poverty, and senseless slaughter. It portrays a time when people will own their land, free from the fear of losing their homes, and live in privacy without overcrowding, enjoying health, clean air, and abundant organic food. The Last Great Day also pictures a world with only the One True God, eliminating false worship and superstitions, bringing freedom from unfounded fears. With satan bound, his hateful influence over God's creation will be removed, allowing all mankind who ever lived to be called by God, given the chance to repent of their mistakes and join the God Family. This day underscores our active role in the Kingdom of God, far from passive, as we are prepared now to serve, govern, care for, and teach billions during this time. Our calling and current life experiences are the training ground for the daunting tasks ahead, helping us relate to and assist those resurrected. We will follow the pattern of Jesus Christ, understanding human struggles through our own, forming a bond of compassion and mercy with those we guide, declaring the Father's and Son's names, and helping them overcome the fear of death with the promise of an awesome future. As part of God's plan, we will be transformed into spirit beings, becoming kings and priests to reign on earth under Jesus Christ, rebuilding from scratch after destruction, starting small and growing in responsibility. During the Millennium, we will restore and build, preparing for the greater task of the Last Great Day, when billions are resurrected. With satan's influence removed, we will teach and guide these unconverted masses, addressing false religions, prejudices, and deep-seated hatreds, helping them overcome through forgiveness and understanding. Our work during this time will be fulfilling and rewarding, transforming those we guide into people with the character of God. God's plan includes a period after the Millennium for these billions to live, learn, and overcome, ensuring they are prepared for eternity. The events of the Last Great Day culminate in the completion of God's millennial plan, with Jesus Christ delivering the kingdom to God the Father, subduing all enemies, including death, and ushering in a new age with a fabulous city descending from heaven, marking the final chapter of this profound time.

The Last Great Day of Reconciliation

Sermonette by Bill Onisick

God did not create rebellion, but He did create free will, giving us a choice, which our carnal nature sabotages because it is enmity against God and His law.

Holy Days: The Eighth Day

Bible Study by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The Last Great Day, the final festival in God's annual holy days, holds a profound significance as it looks forward to a time after the Millennium when a remarkable period of salvation will unfold. During this time, the majority of mankind—rich and poor, young and old, men and women—will be resurrected and given the opportunity to inherit eternal life. Billions will qualify to enter the God Family, while those who refuse to repent and submit to God and His way will be cast into the Lake of Fire, facing the second eternal death. This festival, also called the eighth day, immediately follows the Feast of Tabernacles, symbolizing abundance and regeneration, as the Hebrew word for eight implies fatness and fertility. Though closely connected to the Feast of Tabernacles, it carries a distinct meaning, being part of it yet separate. God's people observe this day with praise and thankfulness, offering spiritual sacrifices for His abundant spiritual gifts. The Last Great Day foreshadows the Great White Throne Judgment period, during which the conditions of the Millennium—God's government, peace, and prosperity—will continue. After the Millennium, God will raise to physical life all those who never had an opportunity for salvation. Christ will judge everyone who lived throughout human history yet was not called, offering the same opportunity to both Israel and the Gentiles. If they meet God's judgment, He will grant them eternal life and spiritual bodies. Additionally, a third resurrection will occur for those who persist in rebellion, leading to their casting into the Lake of Fire for a merciful, permanent death. God judges all by the same standard, evaluating true Christians today by their adherence to His Word and applying the same measure to those in the second resurrection, giving them time to live a life of overcoming and obedience. The greatness of this day lies in Christ, the perfect Judge of all, who will mercifully and lovingly judge vast numbers of people, granting them eternal life. On this day, Christ also revealed that a time would come when all humanity would have free access to the living water of God's Holy Spirit, which He dispenses to His disciples. Following this judgment period, God will create a new heaven and a new earth, a pure world fit for God the Father Himself. In this eternal state, there will be no more death, sorrow, crying, or pain, as the former things will have passed away. All who have accepted God's way will be glorified as members of the God Family, living forever and spreading God's rule over the entire universe.

The Eighth Day

Sermonette by James Beaubelle

The seventh Millennium will be a time of rest, when the suffering we experience today will be gone, enabling preparation for the Great White Throne Judgment.

The Eighth Day (2019)

Sermonette by David C. Grabbe

The Eight Day (or Last Great Day) has little written about it, but the patterns of Scripture reveal much about the abundance of this holy day.

Lessons From the Eighth Day

Sermonette by David C. Grabbe

The Eighth Day, also known as the Last Great Day, holds profound significance as a holy day commanded by God to be kept sacred with a holy convocation. As outlined in Leviticus 23:36, on the eighth day, a sacred assembly is to be held, an offering made by fire to the Lord is required, and no customary work is to be done. This day, while connected to the seven days of the Feast of Tabernacles, stands distinct, as Leviticus 23:39 specifies a Sabbath rest on the eighth day, separate from the rejoicing and dwelling in booths commanded for the preceding seven days. The offerings on this day, as noted in Numbers 29, are significantly fewer compared to those during Tabernacles, indicating a shift in focus away from the primary elements of rejoicing, temporary dwellings, and extensive sacrifices. The term "sacred assembly," translated from the Hebrew word atsarett, carries connotations of stopping, restraining, closing, and retaining. This suggests a solemnity and seriousness unique to the Eighth Day, distinguishing it from other holy convocations. It serves as a time to reflect on and retain the lessons and experiences of the previous seven days, ensuring they are not lost as one returns to daily life. The concept of closing is evident as this day wraps up the feast period, while the element of restraint underscores the solemn nature of the assembly. Biblically, the number eight, derived from a Hebrew root meaning abundance or overabundance, signifies something beyond the perfection represented by seven, indicating superabundance, regeneration, renewal, and a new beginning. This is reflected in various scriptural patterns where seven days of preparation or setting apart are followed by an eighth day of dedication or culmination. For instance, in Genesis 17:12, circumcision on the eighth day marks a new life under God's covenant with Abraham, symbolizing abundance and a fresh start. Similarly, in Exodus 22:30, firstborn animals are dedicated to God on the eighth day after being set apart for seven, showing God receiving His portion. Leviticus 14 describes the cleansing of a leper, completed on the eighth day with offerings and a return to society, representing regeneration and a new beginning. Numbers 6 details the purification of a Nazarite, with the eighth day marking the renewal of their vow through offerings to God. Finally, in Leviticus 8 and 9, the consecration of the priesthood spans seven days, culminating on the eighth day with the appearance of God's glory, signifying superabundance and the acceptance of what is offered to Him. These patterns reveal that the Eighth Day often involves something new and abundant, serving as the real goal or purpose following seven days of preparation. It echoes the consecration of priests, where after seven days of preparation, God appears and accepts His portion, which includes His people. This day reminds us of our role as a royal priesthood, consecrated for holy service, and calls us to reflect on what we bring to Him as His portion—growth, changes, and lessons learned during the feast. It is a day to rededicate ourselves to God, to retain the experiences of the past seven days, and to begin anew with renewed strength from Him for service as priests.

Jesus in the Feasts (Part Six): The Eighth Day

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

In the context of the holy days, the Eighth Day, also known as the Last Great Day, holds a unique significance in pointing us to Christ. In this day, He is our all in all, encapsulating everything we need. As part of the festival cycle, the Eighth Day follows the seven days of the Feast of Tabernacles and is marked by a holy convocation and Sabbath rest, as outlined in Leviticus 23. It is also designated as a sacred assembly, a term that sets it apart from a regular holy convocation. This distinction, rooted in the Hebrew word "atzeret," implies a special purpose, involving ideas of closing, stopping, restraining, and retaining the lessons and teachings of the feasts. The sacred assembly of the Eighth Day, alongside the Last Day of Unleavened Bread, signifies the conclusion of week-long festivals, emphasizing a time to cease normal activities and meditate on the spiritual insights gained. This day urges us to retain what the feasts teach, to internalize and act upon these lessons in our lives. In relation to Christ, the Eighth Day underscores that He embodies all the lessons, examples, reasons, hope, and good things revealed through God's festivals. He is the source of the Word, the way, the truth, and the life, providing all the tools, power, wisdom, and holiness necessary to attain God's Kingdom. In Revelation 1, Christ uses merisms to affirm that He is our everything, declaring Himself as the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, and the First and the Last. These expressions emphasize that He encompasses all things from start to finish, ever-present and working to ensure the fulfillment of God's plan. On the Eighth Day, analogous to the final holy day, He reassures us not to be afraid, affirming that we lack nothing in Him. He is our example, teacher, and the teachings themselves, ensuring that we have what it takes to endure and overcome, supported by His sovereignty and divine fullness within us through His Spirit.

The Fall Holy Days

Article by John Reiss

The Eighth Day, as outlined in Leviticus 23:36, marks the final fall holy day and represents the concluding step in God's plan. After the Millennium, the thousand years of Christ's rule, all who have ever lived will be resurrected to physical life and given God's Spirit and understanding of His Plan. For a hundred years, they will practice living as God intends. This period is a second resurrection, the resurrection of the rest of the dead. Once these steps are complete, God's harvest of souls will end, and the effects of 6,000 years of disobedience will be wiped away. All mankind will either be members of His Family or have been annihilated in the Lake of Fire, ushering in the time of the New Heaven and New Earth where death and pain will be no more, and God will dwell with humanity.

Are God's Holy Days To Be Kept Today?

Sermon/Bible Study by Martin G. Collins

The Last Great Day, also known as the Eighth Day, is one of the seven annual holy days outlined in Leviticus 23, which are vital for understanding God's plan of salvation. These feasts, including the Last Great Day, were not only intended for ancient Israel but are firmly rooted in the New Testament as God's holy days, to be observed by true Christians today. They picture different periods in the plan of spiritual creation and mark the stewardship of God's truth. Observing these days, such as the Last Great Day, keeps God's church in the true memory and worship of Him, impressing the truths these high Sabbaths represent on the minds of His children through all time. Failing to observe these annual Sabbaths leads to a loss of knowledge of God's true plan, as they are commanded to be kept year after year forever, bringing great joy and hope when their true significance is understood.

The Great White Throne

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The Last Great Day holds profound significance as it represents events yet to unfold, requiring us to envision a future beyond our current experience. This day, often challenging to fully grasp, centers on the Great White Throne Judgment, a time when countless individuals will have their opportunity for salvation. Unlike the misconceptions held by some, this period is not solely about condemnation but is a time of fairness and hope, where God offers a genuine chance for eternal life to billions. Scriptural references such as Ezekiel 37, with its vision of the Valley of Dry Bones, and Revelation 20, detailing the events following the Millennium, provide insight into this era. These passages highlight a second resurrection, where the rest of the dead will live again physically, experiencing a full life during which they will be judged according to their works. This resurrection occurs after the thousand-year reign of Christ, following the binding and final defeat of satan, marking the beginning of the Great White Throne period. The Great White Throne itself, described in Revelation as great, white, and a seat of sovereign authority, symbolizes the immense power and perfect righteousness of the One who sits upon it. The term "great" reflects the unparalleled dominion and excellence of God, while "white" signifies His holiness, purity, and the joy of being accepted by Him. As a throne, it represents the ultimate authority from which just and equitable judgments are made, ensuring that every decision is perfect and untainted by bias. This throne is not a place of dread but of awe, where God's justice, mercy, and kindness prevail. It is a source of both severity and goodness, from which flows the river of life as well as the judgment of the unrepentant. During this time, those resurrected will have access to the teachings of Scripture, learning and living under the same judgment we experience now, with the opportunity to embrace eternal life as God desires for all to repent and join Him. Ultimately, the Great White Throne Judgment embodies the character of a God who is fair, loving, and forgiving, eager to extend grace and salvation. It stands as a testament to His desire for none to perish but for all to share in the joy of eternal life with Him.

Being There

Sermonette by Mike Ford

The Eighth Day, also known as the Last Great Day, holds profound significance as it pictures the second resurrection, a time when those not called by God in this life will have their opportunity. On this day, billions of people, most with no prior knowledge of God, will be resurrected and granted 100 years to learn and grow to become like God. They will face no interference from satan, as he will be out of the picture, and they will be guided by millions of teachers born into God's Family during the previous 1,000 years. This day represents a future of hope and transformation, where God desires all to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth, as He is not willing that any should perish. The vision of this time, depicted in Hosea 14, shows mankind repenting and God forgiving and blessing, symbolized through metaphors of growth and beauty like the lily, the cedar, and the olive tree. It is a reminder of the ultimate purpose to be there, to witness and participate in this great resurrection, ensuring that we, as firstfruits, are present to guide and teach during this extraordinary period in God's Kingdom.

Be There!

Article by Mike Ford

The Last Great Day represents the second resurrection, a time pictured by the Great White Throne Judgment, when billions of people who were not called by God during their earthly lives will rise to life. This includes individuals like my grandfather, who lived a full life without knowing God's purpose, yet will be given the chance to follow God's way and reap its benefits. During this period, as described in Revelation 20:11-13, they will have an opportunity, possibly a hundred years, to learn and grow in a world without the influence of satan, ruled by Christ, and surrounded by spirit-composed teachers from the previous Millennium who will guide them. Hosea 14:1-8 further illustrates this time, depicting a resurrected mankind, symbolized by Israel, repenting and being forgiven and blessed by God. God reveals Himself as a source of growth and protection, urging all to renounce idols of the heart and follow His righteous ways. The wise and prudent will understand and choose to walk in the ways of the Lord, ensuring their place in His everlasting kingdom, as we are encouraged to seek first the kingdom of God to be present during this Last Great Day.

John 7:37 Examined (Part One)

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

The Eighth Day, commonly referred to as the Last Great Day, holds a unique place among God's feasts and holy days, yet it remains unnamed in the Bible. Unlike other festivals clearly identified in Leviticus 23, such as Passover, the Days of Unleavened Bread, and the Feast of Tabernacles, the Eighth Day is mentioned without a specific title, appearing only as a sacred assembly or holy convocation in Scriptures like Leviticus 23:36, Leviticus 23:39, Numbers 29:35, II Chronicles 7:9, and Nehemiah 8:18. This day, observed immediately after the seven days of the Feast of Tabernacles, is distinct and separate, carrying its own significance despite lacking a biblical name. The term "Last Great Day" originated within the Radio Church of God, later known as the Worldwide Church of God, and though not Scriptural, it is considered fitting for this holy day. Historically, there has been a misunderstanding regarding the timing of key events associated with this festival. Many have linked John 7:37, where Jesus Christ speaks on the last day of the feast, to the Eighth Day. However, this address was actually given on the seventh and final day of the Feast of Tabernacles, not on the day we call the Last Great Day. The Feast of Tabernacles is explicitly defined as lasting seven days in Scriptures such as Leviticus 23:34 and 23:42, and the Eighth Day stands apart as a separate festival, adjacent to but distinct from the preceding seven days. This distinction is further evidenced by historical practices, where on the afternoon of the seventh day of the Feast of Tabernacles, people in Jerusalem would begin to dismantle their booths and return to their homes, indicating the transition to a separate observance on the Eighth Day. The true meaning and purpose of the Eighth Day are not evident in the Old Testament, where it lacks detailed instruction or associated events, leaving even Jewish scholars puzzled, with some describing it as a holy day in search of a cause. The deeper understanding of this day emerges only through the New Testament perspective, revealing its significance in God's plan. On the Eighth Day following the Feast of Tabernacles, Jesus Christ delivered extensive teachings at the Temple, as recorded from John 8:1 through John 10:21. These teachings, given on what is identified as the Last Great Day, cover critical subjects that illuminate the purpose of this holy day, including confrontations with the Pharisees, the healing of a blind man, and revelations about His role as the Shepherd. This day is also connected to future events of profound importance. After the seventh one-thousand-year period, represented by the Feast of Tabernacles and commonly called the Millennium, the Eighth Day points to a time following the final removal of Satan's influence, when he is cast into the Lake of Fire. Revelation 20:5 and 20:11-13 describe the Great White Throne Judgment during this period, where the books are opened, and all are judged according to their works. This judgment, overseen by Jesus Christ as affirmed in John 5:22, pertains to the second resurrection, offering an opportunity for those resurrected to hear the Gospel of the Kingdom of God and demonstrate faith through their actions. Thus, the Eighth Day, or Last Great Day, encapsulates a pivotal moment in God's plan for humanity's ultimate reconciliation and judgment.

The Final Harvest

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

The Eighth Day, also known as the Last Great Day, holds profound significance for those who grasp its meaning. It addresses the perplexing questions surrounding the vast multitudes of humanity who live or have died without knowledge of God's way or a true understanding of Jesus Christ, the only name by which we must be saved. This day represents a time when the whole world will pass through the gates of righteousness, recognizing Christ as Savior, rejoicing in those God sends to teach them, and praising God for His mercy in granting salvation. The outpouring of His Holy Spirit on all of humanity will be the catalyst for this universal response. The Eighth Day offers hope for those who have lived without an opportunity for salvation, suggesting that God's merciful plan includes a future moment when they will be brought near by the blood of Christ, challenging the notion that they are forever lost due to circumstances beyond their control.

Eternal Responsibilities

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Martin G. Collins

The Eighth Day, also known as the Last Great Day, is an integral part of the eight-day festival that includes the Feast of Tabernacles, dating back to the time of Moses and ancient Israel. This festival, filled with rejoicing, festivity, brotherhood, and thanksgiving, mirrors the way we observe it today, elevated to a spiritual plane by God's Holy Spirit. The Last Great Day holds profound significance in God's plan for the salvation of mankind, symbolizing a time of judgment and opportunity for those who have not yet had their chance to understand His truth. On this day, Jesus Christ stood up and spoke of living water, representing the Holy Spirit, which a salvation-thirsty humanity will receive during the Great White Throne Judgment. This period, described in Revelation 20, involves the resurrection of billions to mortal life for a time of judgment, likely spanning about one hundred years. During this time, they will have their first opportunity to comprehend God's way, accept His truth, and choose salvation. God will not force anyone to accept His path, but under His government, most will eventually turn to Him through His power. Those who reject His way will face final judgment in the lake of fire, where God mercifully ends their existence to prevent eternal suffering. The Last Great Day, as part of this eight-day festival, provides a vision and uplift that keeps us focused on our purpose as a church to grow, overcome, and proclaim the good news of Christ's coming and God's sovereignty. It underscores our eternal responsibility to seek Him diligently. The Great White Throne Judgment, occurring after the Millennium, will see the second resurrection, where the dead from all time are raised to physical life with God's truth opened to their understanding. They will live a full lifespan with the opportunity to know God and the path to salvation, judged according to their works, just as we are now. As firstfruits, we anticipate being spirit beings for over a thousand years by the time of this judgment, helping to righteously judge and guide those resurrected during this period under the supervision of God the Father and Jesus Christ. This role reflects our eternal responsibility, which began at our baptism and continues without ceasing. The Last Great Day reminds us of the immense privilege and duty we have to assist in fulfilling God's plan, ensuring that we live with excellence and purity to be found at peace with Him when we stand before Him.

The Process of Righteous Judgment

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Martin G. Collins

The Last Great Day, also known as the Eighth Day, pictures a profound period of judgment known as the Great White Throne Judgment, which occurs after the Millennium. During this time, free access to God will be open to all mankind for the first time in history. Revelation 20 outlines the sequence of events, including a massive second resurrection to physical life, where billions, including the whole house of Israel and Gentiles who lived and died over mankind's first six millennia, will be raised. This resurrection offers them their one and only opportunity to be judged and saved, with numbers potentially reaching as many as 50 billion people. Isaiah 65 suggests a 100-year lifespan during this post-millennial judgment period, a time of peace and prosperity under Christ's rule, distinct from the Millennium. This 100-year span is indicated as the duration for the Great White Throne Judgment, following the seven-day Feast of Tabernacles, as the eighth day festival represents a separate and distinct period for judging billions of human beings. This judgment is a process of evaluation, not sentencing, where the rest of mankind will live temporarily in physical form, free from satan's deception, unlike the current challenges faced by God's church. During this period, most of humanity will have the chance to live God's way of life without satan's influence for 100 years. The firstfruits of God's Family, having gained 1,000 years of experience during the Millennium, will be qualified to assist God the Father and Jesus Christ in the momentous decisions of this last judgment. This time reflects God's mercy and patience, ensuring a deliberate evaluation based on love for the benefit of all participants at the appointed time.

The Blind See

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The Eighth Day, also known as the Last Great Day, holds a significant place in the cycle of holy days, commemorating a time when the blind will see and be converted. This day, mentioned in Leviticus 23 as a Sabbath with a holy convocation, is often referred to simply as The Eighth Day throughout the Old Testament. It is linked to the Feast of Tabernacles, continuing the theme of the fall harvest, known as the Feast of Ingathering, which pictures a large spiritual harvest of the greater part of mankind, unlike the smaller, more intimate spring harvest of Pentecost representing God's Firstfruits. In Numbers 29:35-38, the day is described as a sacred assembly where no customary work is to be done, accompanied by an offering, though no deeper meaning is elaborated in the Old Testament beyond its connection to the Feast of Tabernacles. Even in Nehemiah 8, during a joyous celebration of rediscovering God's way, it is only noted that a holy convocation occurred on this day. Revelation 20 provides insight into the significance of this day, portraying it as a time of judgment where a throne and a Judge await, and books are opened to record and set criteria for judgment. It depicts a resurrection of all the rest of the dead, encompassing everyone from the smallest to the greatest, regardless of where they died, ensuring that all unredeemed individuals from the past 6,000 years are gathered for this judgment. This period offers an opportunity for those who never had the chance to know God to live under judgment and potentially attain eternal life. In the narrative of Jesus Christ's life, as recorded in John 7 through 10, the Eighth Day is distinguished from the seventh day of the Feast, often referred to as the last great day of the Feast. The teachings and actions of Jesus on this day, particularly in John 8 and 9, provide profound clarification about its meaning. In John 8, Jesus declares Himself the light of the world, emphasizing that following Him leads to the light of life, yet He does not condemn or call individuals to conversion immediately, reflecting the current state of the world where many remain blind to the truth. He highlights that people cannot understand without God's Spirit, remaining cut off from the true God, and will die in their sins unless they come to the truth through Him. In John 9, the healing of a man born blind illustrates the spiritual blindness of humanity and the path to understanding and conversion through Jesus. This act, performed on the Sabbath, underscores Jesus as the light of the world, revealing God's works and pointing to a future time of new creation and resurrection, where blind humanity will see and be converted through a new body and spirit. The man's journey to the Pool of Siloam, with its allusion to Eden and the gushing waters of the Holy Spirit, signifies healing and conversion in an atmosphere reminiscent of creation before sin, culminating in a transformation so profound that even neighbors fail to recognize him, mirroring the change anticipated for billions during the Great White Throne Judgment. Finally, in John 10, Jesus speaks of bringing all humanity into one fold under Him as the One Shepherd, indicating a future time when the worldwide flock will be united, following His work with earlier flocks. This vision encapsulates the ultimate fulfillment of the Eighth Day, a time of universal salvation and unity under His guidance.

Death: The End of the Beginning

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The Last Great Day, also known as the Eighth Day, is a profound holy day that embodies God's grace and fairness toward all humanity. It anticipates a time of perfect justice when each person will have an opportunity for salvation under favorable conditions, free from the influence of the arch deceiver. God ensures the best possible circumstances for mankind, affirming with certainty that He desires all to come to salvation and repentance, as long as they yield to Him. This day also holds the promise of God eradicating all evil and evildoers from the earth for eternity, often referred to as the second death or the Lake of Fire, allowing God Himself to dwell with men in a world without sin. The fulfillment of the Last Great Day necessitates much death, with billions having already died and billions more to perish before they reach the second resurrection and their chance at salvation. This general resurrection will include people from every race, tribe, language, and nation across all eras of history, united by the common experience of death. They will rise—Israelites and Gentiles, young and old, rich and poor—to stand before God's throne, a vast multitude of 50 to 70 billion, to be judged for salvation rather than condemnation. This resurrection, vividly depicted as the vision of dry bones in Ezekiel, will reveal to these individuals the truth about the afterlife, dispelling their previous misconceptions. Raised to physical life with flesh, sinew, and breath, they will recognize the true God. Initially, they may fear judgment and destruction, feeling their hope is lost, but they will soon learn of God's mercy and grace. With God's Spirit available to them, they will have the opportunity to grow and join His Family under the best conditions, free from satan's influence. During this period, potentially lasting one hundred years as suggested in Isaiah, they will live full and abundant lives, enjoying the conditions of the Millennium with God and His firstfruits present to guide them. God will respond to their needs even before they call, ensuring their path to salvation is supported. This reflects God's plan to save all who have not heard of Christ, demonstrating that He is not willing that any should perish but desires all to come to repentance. To God, death is no barrier; it is a rest in the grave, a sleep from which all will awaken refreshed to a new life, whether in the air with Christ or as renewed physical beings in the second resurrection, free of disease and full of vigor, on their journey to salvation. Ultimately, God will destroy death itself, standing in victory over it with His people.

Do You Recognize This Man? (Part Seven)

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The Eighth Day, also known as the Last Great Day, is a sacred assembly following the seven days of the Feast of Tabernacles, treated as a holy day with no customary work to be done. It is not explicitly distinguished in the Old Testament beyond being called the eighth day, appearing as a conclusion to the Harvest Festival. In Leviticus 23:39, it is noted that while the Feast of Tabernacles lasts seven days with dwelling in booths, the eighth day is a Sabbath without the command to dwell in booths, signaling a difference in meaning. In Numbers 29:35-38, the offerings for this day are similar to those of other holy days, providing no distinct clue about its unique significance. Additional references in I Kings 8:66, II Chronicles 7:9, and Nehemiah 8:18 merely confirm its observance without further insight. In John 7, during the time of Jesus, the context shows that after the seventh day of the Feast of Tabernacles, marked by heightened celebrations including the water ceremony, the people left their booths and returned to their own houses. This shift from temporary dwellings to permanent homes, as seen in John 8:2 through John 10:21, underscores the teachings of Jesus on the Last Great Day, focusing on themes of judgment and permanence. The act of leaving booths behind represents a transition from temporary existence to a state of enduring eternity. The Last Great Day symbolizes a time of changelessness, permanence, and endurance, contrasting with the temporary nature of booths during the Feast of Tabernacles, which recall Israel's transient journey from Egypt to the Promised Land. It points to a future where humanity's destiny is fixed forever, aligning with the concept of eternity. This day emphasizes last things, enduring things, and eternal things, marking the end of mankind's transitory state, both mentally and physically, as all are changed to a permanent condition.

The Second Resurrection and Union With Christ

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The Eighth Day, also referred to as the Last Great Day, holds a significant place in the biblical framework as a holy day of profound meaning. In Leviticus 23, it is described as a Sabbath rest, a day for giving an offering and refraining from customary work, marking it as a sacred time of convocation. Though the Old Testament provides limited insight into its purpose, mentioning it briefly in Numbers 29:35-37, II Chronicles 7:9, and Nehemiah 8:18 without additional detail, it remains an enigma to many. In the New Testament, Revelation 20 unveils the deeper significance of this day, portraying it as the Great White Throne Judgment, a period following the Millennium when all who have not been called to salvation will be resurrected. This time offers them the chance to live with the knowledge of God's truth and be judged by their works. Those who reject Christ and refuse to change will face the Lake of Fire, as described in Revelation 20:14-15. Isaiah 65 suggests that this judgment period may span a hundred years, likened to the life of a tree, providing an opportunity for salvation to both the young and old who rise in this resurrection. Those who remain in sin, however, will be accursed and face destruction. The conditions during this time mirror the Millennium, characterized by peace, prosperity, and contentment in an agrarian society. Ezekiel 37 further illustrates this period through the vision of the valley of dry bones, symbolizing the resurrection of the house of Israel. These bones, representing countless individuals across millennia, are reconstructed into physical bodies, given breath, and offered access to God's Spirit. This physical resurrection underscores a new opportunity for life, distinct from their past hopelessness, as God fulfills His promise of salvation. The Eighth Day thus foreshadows a monumental task for the children of God, working under Jesus Christ to teach His way to billions whose minds are alien to divine truth. These resurrected individuals, spanning diverse times, places, and cultures, will present unique challenges due to their varied ways of thinking. The responsibility will be to craft approaches that transform their minds and characters into the image of Christ, using the template provided by His life and teachings. In John 7:37 through John 10:21, particularly within chapters 8 and 9, Christ offers detailed instruction for this holy day. Though not explicitly stated, His teachings on this day address the needs of the second resurrection, emphasizing the dichotomy between carnal and godly minds, the authority of His witness, and the necessity of accepting Him as God and Creator. His interactions reveal a compassionate approach, focusing on life, repentance, and truth as the path to liberty, while highlighting the need to reject satanic influence and center life on Him as the way, the truth, and the life. Thus, the Eighth Day encapsulates a future time of judgment and opportunity, where the children of God will model and teach Christ's life and teachings, guiding alien minds toward salvation with the ultimate goal of pleasing the Father and the Son.

Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Thirty-Four): Ecclesiastes 9:2-12

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The Eighth Day, often seen as an extension of the Feast of Tabernacles, remains an enigma with little explanation in the Old Testament about its significance in God's grand plan of salvation. It is not until Revelation 20:11-13 that we find clear indication of its meaning, pointing to the Great White Throne Judgment period. This time, still over 1,000 years into the future after the Millennium and the rebellion led by satan the devil, marks when the uncalled dead will rise as physical human beings for their opportunity for salvation. As depicted in Ezekiel, these individuals will be resurrected from bones, rebuilt with sinews, muscles, and skin, and given breath once more. They will then have access to the Holy Spirit, which they lacked in their prior lives, and undergo a judgment period, possibly lasting 100 years, to unlearn past ways and learn God's truth, with the help of those already faithful. This period of the Great White Throne Judgment begins with death, as all these individuals are dead—buried in the earth, in oceans, or cremated. Yet, through God's action, life returns to them. Death, mankind's implacable enemy, looms over this time, instilling fear and uncertainty until the very end of this judgment period when it will finally be overcome. God promises, through Paul in I Corinthians 15:53-57, that death will be destroyed, devoured in Christ's victory over sin, never to rise again to trouble the children of God. This victory will render death a mere memory, or perhaps not even remembered, as it becomes meaningless in the face of eternal life. In II Peter 3:13, after the heavens pass away and the elements melt with fervent heat, a New Heaven and New Earth emerge where only righteousness dwells. In this state, death, the penalty for breaking God's law, becomes powerless and disappears, as there is no sin or lawlessness to taint the purity and glory of this new creation. Thus, the Eighth Day pictures a transformative era when God's living water spreads over the earth, offering salvation to all who rise in this judgment, culminating in the ultimate defeat of death and the establishment of a sinless, righteous existence.

Jesus and the Feast (Part Three): Light of the World

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The Eighth Day, also known as the Last Great Day, holds significant meaning within the context of God's appointed times and His plan for humanity. This day, distinct from the seven days of the Feast of Tabernacles, is recognized as a separate holy day marked by a sacred assembly and offerings, though the Old Testament provides scant detail about its purpose. In the New Testament, particularly through hints and prophecies such as those in Revelation 20, the Eighth Day emerges as a foreshadowing of the final period of judgment, often referred to as the White Throne Judgment period. This time represents the resurrection of billions of uncalled and unrepentant individuals to physical life, a period during which they will be judged according to their works under a world free from satan's influence, as he and his demons will have been cast into the Lake of Fire. This judgment period, symbolized by the Eighth Day, is characterized by resurrection, conversion, and evaluation based on actions, not merely beliefs. It is a time when God will open the graves, bringing back to life countless individuals across generations to learn and live His way over a span generally understood to be 100 years. During this time, as depicted in Ezekiel 37 with the Valley of Dry Bones, the resurrected—starting with Israel as an example and extending to all nations—will receive physical life and the opportunity for spiritual conversion through the Holy Spirit, which many lacked in their prior existence. Isaiah 65 further illustrates this era as one of relative peace and normalcy, where individuals will build, plant, and enjoy the fruits of their labor in a near-utopian setting under God's complete control, free from external troubles like wars or natural disasters. The Eighth Day's significance is also reflected in the narrative of John 7:53 through John 8:12, where the timing of events aligns with the transition from the seventh day of the Feast to the morning of the Eighth Day. This setting underscores themes of judgment and mercy, mirroring the future period when God, through the glorified Jesus Christ and His firstfruits, will actively guide the resurrected to attain salvation. By the end of this judgment period, all of humanity will have been evaluated; those deemed worthy will be saved as sons of God, while others will face the second death in the Lake of Fire. Following this, the stage will be set for the New Heavens and the New Earth, a time of ultimate righteousness where only the saved remain. Thus, the Eighth Day encapsulates a profound hope and opportunity for redemption, reflecting God's desire to offer life and a future to those who previously had none.

God of Our Salvation

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The Eighth Day, also known as the Last Great Day, holds profound significance for humanity as a time of ultimate salvation. This holy day, briefly mentioned in Leviticus 23 as a holy convocation following the Feast of Tabernacles, gains deeper meaning in the New Testament, particularly in relation to the Great White Throne Judgment period described in Revelation 20. This period, distinct from the Millennium, focuses on a general judgment of all the risen dead—small and great—through the second resurrection, where billions are given physical life again and the opportunity to understand God's way. The goal of this era is to offer salvation to all who have ever lived, fulfilling God's desire that none should perish but all come to repentance, as stated in II Peter 3:9. Though some will reject this offer and face the second death in the Lake of Fire, the majority will embrace the chance for eternal life. In John 7, Jesus Christ Himself expands on the meaning of this day, inspired by the Jewish Water Ceremony on the Last Great Day, where water was drawn from the Pool of Siloam and poured on the altar. With joy, He proclaimed that anyone who thirsts should come to Him for living waters, symbolizing the Holy Spirit and the path to salvation. This imagery of drawing water with joy from the wells of salvation, as found in Isaiah 12:3, reflects the exuberance and eagerness with which those in the Great White Throne Judgment will respond to God's offer. Having lived lives of hardship, poverty, and separation from God, they will awaken to a paradise of abundance and provision, free from satan's interference. They will willingly seek the Source of living water—dynamic, continuous, and inexhaustible—finding in it a salvation they never knew before. The Hebrew word for salvation, yeshu'ah, carries explosive significance, emphasizing deliverance from distress and danger. Closely tied to the name of Jesus Christ, Yeshuah, it reveals that salvation is not merely a concept but a Person—Him who saves His people from their sins. This connection underscores that the Last Great Day is about offering every human being their first true opportunity to know Him and receive eternal life in God's Kingdom, a time when Jesus Christ, the God of our Salvation, will be the center of all hope and joy for billions.

Benefits of the Third Resurrection

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The Eighth Day, also known as the Last Great Day, holds profound significance in God's plan as a time of immense spiritual outpouring and judgment. On this day, during the Feast, Christ stood and spoke of rivers of living waters, symbolizing the Holy Spirit that would be given without measure to those who believe in Him. This day represents the major meaning of the second resurrection, when billions who have lived and died without access to God's Spirit will be raised to physical life. They will receive the opportunity for salvation, just as we have now, with the gates holding back the Holy Spirit opened, flooding them with the chance to accept God's way. The Last Great Day also ties to the White Throne Judgment, where two outcomes are possible: eternal life in the God Family for those who accept God's way, or eternal death for those who reject it. This judgment, as described, focuses on works as the evidence of true belief, showing the Judge not just profession but action. God will not be deceived; He demands proof of faith through how one lives. This period is the last opportunity for humans to gain entrance into the God Family, a time of utmost seriousness where God desires all to come to repentance, offering a lifetime to grow in grace and knowledge of Christ. Yet, there is also severity in this day, as some will reject God's offer, searing their consciences and refusing to repent. For them, God's justice demands the penalty of the second death in the Lake of Fire, as He enforces His laws with perfect fairness. This act of judgment ensures that justice is met, serving as a deterrent and maintaining equality among all. The Lake of Fire, while a sobering reality, also brings future benefits by ridding the Kingdom of God of every vestige of sin, evil, and death, leaving only purity and peace for eternity. Thus, the Last Great Day encapsulates both the goodness and severity of God, offering hope through resurrection and salvation, while upholding justice through final judgment.

Fall Feast Lessons

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The Eighth Day, also known as the Last Great Day, holds a significant place within the fall holy days, emphasizing the judgment of God as a central theme. This day, alongside the Millennium, represents a period of evaluation and growth, purposefully designed to bring all of creation into at-one-ment with God. It is a time when His judgments continue to unfold, focusing on reconciliation and the ultimate restoration of harmony between God and mankind. As part of the broader context of the fall feasts, the Last Great Day underscores the ongoing process of God's judgment, contributing to the fulfillment of His purpose to reconcile all things to Himself.

An Abundant Spiritual Offering

Sermonette by David C. Grabbe

The number eight signifies a new start with abundance abundance following a period of time (a week, seven years, or a millennium) of preparatory activity.

John 7:37 Examined (Part Two)

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

The Eighth Day, which we refer to as the Last Great Day, holds significant meaning in God's purpose. It is distinct from the seventh day of the Feast of Tabernacles, as clarified by the events described in John 7:37, which pertain to the last day of the Feast, not the Last Great Day. The Last Great Day follows as the eighth day, a separate occasion symbolizing a profound aspect of God's plan. The narrative from John 8:1 through John 10:21 unfolds on the Last Great Day, occurring in the Fall, six months prior to Christ's crucifixion. This day, identified as Tishri 22 in the Hebrew calendar, corresponding to October 7 in 30 AD on the Roman calendar, was both a weekly Sabbath and a Holy Day, marking it as a double Sabbath. The events of these chapters, including powerful teachings and healings by Jesus, took place on this significant day, with no change in time noted until a sharp break in John 10:22. The Last Great Day's timing is consistent with the Hebrew calendar, aligning with the Feast of Trumpets and the first day of the Feast of Tabernacles on the same day of the week each year. In 30 AD, the Last Great Day fell on a weekly Sabbath, reinforcing its importance. The teachings and events of this day, as recorded in John 8 through 10, carry symbolic weight, pointing to future fulfillment when Christ will reveal Himself fully to the world as the sole Shepherd, uniting all into one flock with no competition. Furthermore, the temporary nature of the booths, dismantled after seven days, underscores the transition to the Last Great Day. As the eighth day begins, it signals a shift from the temporary to the permanent, where those resurrected face eternity—either eternal life or eternal death—based on their works and Christ's judgment. This day marks a critical juncture in God's plan, emphasizing the finality and permanence of the outcomes that follow.

The End

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The Last Great Day, also referred to as the Eighth Day, represents a profound culmination in God's plan, a time often considered as the ultimate end and yet a new beginning. This day, highlighted on this specific occasion, points to a period following the Great White Throne Judgment, about which the Bible provides limited but tantalizing clues through prophetic language filled with symbols and imagery. The visions described by prophets like Isaiah, Ezekiel, and the apostle John offer a glimpse into this era, though their descriptions are constrained by their own understanding and vocabulary. This end signifies a complete transformation, where the heavens and the earth, described as growing old like a garment, will be changed by God. The concept is not of refurbishing the old, but of replacing it with something entirely new. Scriptures indicate a cataclysmic event, a fiery scouring of the earth, where everything is purified by intense heat, dissolving the fundamental elements and consuming all wicked works. Following this purification, a new heaven and a new earth emerge, a place of pure righteousness and joy under God's direct rulership. At this time, Christ, having completed His work of redemption, will have put down all rule, authority, and power, including the last enemy, death. After bringing billions to salvation through the Millennium and the Great White Throne Judgment, He will hand over the Kingdom to God the Father. Then, God will be all in all, reigning eternally supreme over everything and everyone. Satan, the originator of sin, will be permanently removed, eliminating the curse of death and the memory of sin and sorrow. The vision of this period includes the descent of New Jerusalem from heaven, described as a bride in all her beauty, serving as God's eternal abode on earth. God the Father Himself will dwell with those who were once human but are now glorified members of His Family, erasing all tears, sorrow, pain, and death. This new creation marks a complete break from the past, introducing a perfect, joyous way of life with no connection to the old, which will fade like a bad dream. This era promises direct access to God, with no barriers, as the Father and the Son become the temple, their light perpetually illuminating all. It will be a time of unending life, health, safety, and intimate contact with God, filled with inexhaustible knowledge and creativity for glorious purposes. The glory of the Father and the Son will overshadow all else, ensuring nothing taints this blessed state. Ultimately, the Last Great Day foresees God reigning in majestic strength on a new earth that cannot be moved, with no power able to overcome Him. His testimonies and promises are certain, destined to be fulfilled, establishing a time of transcendent purity and holiness that will beautify His house forever. This day stands as a superlative event, beyond human imagination, yet guaranteed by God's faithful word to come to pass.

Kings and Priests

Sermonette by James Beaubelle

The Eighth Day is a dramatic, pivotal moment in God's divine plan of salvation, symbolizing new beginnings and the final phase of God's redemptive work.

Judgment Is a Merciful Blessing

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Martin G. Collins

The Eighth Day, also known as the Last Great Day, holds a significant place in God's master plan, as it pictures the period of the Great White Throne Judgment. This distinct period, commanded in Leviticus 23:36-39, follows the seven-day Feast of Tabernacles and represents a separate time for judging billions of human beings. During this time, Jesus Christ will serve as the great Judge seated upon the Great White Throne, evaluating the resurrected individuals who lived during the first 6,000 years of human history. This judgment period, speculated to possibly span 100 years based on Isaiah 65:20, will be a continuation of the millennial conditions, reflecting peace and prosperity under Christ's rule. It is a time when the majority of mankind, rich and poor, young and old, will be resurrected and given the opportunity to inherit eternal life with the help of God's Holy Spirit. God's judgment during this period is not a simplistic pronouncement but a deliberate evaluation based on truth and love, ensuring a merciful and necessary blessing for all involved.

Psalms: Book Four (Part Three)

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Psalms 105 and 106 describe the Great White Throne period, expressing the yearning desire to be included in His Kingdom and declaring God's praises.

An Abundance of Living Water

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Water has great metaphorical significance on the Last Great Day of the Feast, symbolizing God's Holy Spirit given without measure.

The Light of the World

Sermonette by David C. Grabbe

Christ's teachings on the Eighth Day revolved around light and darkness, and twice on that Holy Day He proclaimed that He is the Light of the World.

The Sabbath: Rest

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The Sabbath is an antidote to the weariness we experience. It recalls God's pausing after completing His physical creation, focusing on the spiritual creation.

Judgment According to Works

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Because God sees the content of our hearts, nothing escapes His attention. He mercifully judges over a lifetime of behaviors, not just isolated incidents.

God's Will in the End Time

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

God does not like to inflict punishment on people, but because of sin, He is obligated to correct. But as quickly as God punishes, God restores and heals.

The Second Resurrection

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

God has a timetable, carefully calculated to allow people to receive and respond to the truth at their best time for salvation, each in his own order.

A Vision of Eternity

Sermonette by Austin Del Castillo

Though we currently dwell in a temporary fleshly tent, we will be ultimately clothed in a permanent spiritual body, able to see God the Father and Christ.

Why Trumpets?

Sermonette by James Beaubelle

The Feast of Trumpets depicts a time when angelic beings sound an alarm, warning God's saints to prepare to put themselves under His sovereign rule.

God and Self-Government

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The New Covenant, wherein God writes His law on the heart and gives His Spirit, empowers God's people to obey without the need for external control.