In the seventh chapter of John, we read that "the Jew's feast of tabernacles was at hand." (John 7:2) In the verses that follow, we are told that Christ's family urged him to avail himself of this opportunity to reveal himself to the world. (3-4) Jesus, however, sent his family on to Jerusalem without him - planning to quietly attend after the festival had commenced. (8-10) In fact, according to John, he didn't begin making public declarations or teaching until about midway through the festival. (14) And, as he had anticipated, his comments engendered a great deal of controversy and resentment. (15-36)
Then, we read: "In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)" (John 7:37-39) How ironic is that? On this last day of the ACOG's attempt to celebrate the FOT, Jesus Christ invited ANYONE who wanted God's Holy Spirit to come to him!
The ACOG's love to quote John 6:44 "No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day." In the very next chapter, however, we have Christ issuing this invitation to everyone on the Last Great Day of the Feast! Did Christ really mean that salvation through him was open to everyone? What does that do to the exclusivity narrative promulgated by Herbert Armstrong and his successors? It appears that some folks are concerned with being first, and that Christ was thinking about salvation for EVERYONE! Hmmmmm, I seem to recall Christ having something to say about those who wanted to be first!
Then, we read: "In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)" (John 7:37-39) How ironic is that? On this last day of the ACOG's attempt to celebrate the FOT, Jesus Christ invited ANYONE who wanted God's Holy Spirit to come to him!
The ACOG's love to quote John 6:44 "No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day." In the very next chapter, however, we have Christ issuing this invitation to everyone on the Last Great Day of the Feast! Did Christ really mean that salvation through him was open to everyone? What does that do to the exclusivity narrative promulgated by Herbert Armstrong and his successors? It appears that some folks are concerned with being first, and that Christ was thinking about salvation for EVERYONE! Hmmmmm, I seem to recall Christ having something to say about those who wanted to be first!
Is the Last Great day, the day that Jesus promised living water to all who thirst, the seventh day of Tabernacles or the eighth day as we've been historically taught?
ReplyDeleteWe've been taught that the millennium is the main meaning of tabernacles, but is that true? While that may be one of the symbols of the seven day feast, is not the actual living in temporary dwellings while God brings mankind out of sin the main symbology?
I realize it's difficult to let loose of old paradigms and take hold of new ones, but isn't that the meaning of growing in grace and knowledge?
Why seven days in tabernacles and not eight? Could it be that the seven days pictures the 7,000 years that God is dealing with mankind in the flesh?
Why no tabernacle on the eighth day if that day pictures the resurrection of the vast majority of mankind back in to physical bodies?
Couldn't the seventh day, the historic Jewish water ceremony, be the Great day when Jesus cried out and promised living water to all? Why can't the seventh day picture the millennium and the GWTJ? Since there is no dwelling in tabernacles on the eighth day, wouldn't that picture eternity when God's plan has been accomplished?
Just as Passover pictures Jesus being slain from before the foundation of the world, and then seven days/seven thousand years of God bringing mankind out of sin. Tabernacles pictures seven thousand years of mankind in temporary flesh while God brings us out of sin.
With the Eighth day picturing the fulfillment of God's plan. The Passover picturing eternity past when Christ was slain before the foundation of the world, and the Eighth day picturing eternity future, like bookends enveloping the entire plan of God.y
It is certainly possible that this could be the seventh instead of the eighth. While Leviticus 23 makes several references to seven days within its description of Tabernacles, it also seems to make the eighth day an integral part of the celebration.
DeleteAs I've written elsewhere, I believe that the FOT pictures the fact that Christ and his followers had to tabernacle in the flesh - within these jars of clay - these temporary dwellings that we inhabit as humans. Likewise, this suggests/implies a more permanent/eternal dwelling in the future.
I no longer subscribe to the six thousand year theory for mankind (and, in fairness, no where in Scripture is this explicitly stated). I understand where Herbert and others got these notions, but I no longer believe the scriptural evidence supports such a conclusion.
I do, however, like the way that you are thinking outside of the box of Armstrongism about the symbolism of these elements; and I wholeheartedly agree that this is part of growing in grace and knowledge.
I have no problem with the possibility/probability that the seven day/ seven thousand years is purely symbolic. Even if it is symbolic, imo what I presented fits perfectly. The Eighth day is as integral to the Feast of Tabernacles as Passover is to Unleavened Bread, but they aren't one and the same. They each have their own meanings. The Eighth day pictures our eternal abode, which Christ has gone to prepare for us. The seven days of Tabernacles picture our temporary abode.
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