Zech. 14:16-19

16 And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left [yathar] of all the nations [gowy] which came [bow'] against Jerusalem [Yaruwshalaim] shall even go up [`alah] from [day] year [shaneh (in pl. only),] to year [shaneh (in pl. only),] to worship [shachah] the King [melek], the LORD [Yahovah] of hosts [tsaba'], and to keep [chagag] the feast [chag] of tabernacles [cukkah].

17 And it shall be, that whoso will not come up [`alah] of all the families [mishpachah] of the earth ['erets] unto Jerusalem [Yaruwshalaim] to worship [shachah] the King [melek], the LORD [Yahovah] of hosts [tsaba'], even upon them shall be no rain [geshem].

18 And if the family [mishpachah] of Egypt [Mitsrayim] go not up [`alah], and come [bow'] not, that have no rain; there shall be the plague [maggephah], wherewith the LORD [Yahovah] will smite [nagaph] the heathen [gowy] that come not up [`alah] to keep [chagag] the feast [chag] of tabernacles [cukkah].

19 This shall be the punishment [chatta'ah] of Egypt [Mitsrayim], and the punishment [chatta'ah] of all nations [gowy] that come not up [`alah] to keep [chagag] the feast [chag] of tabernacles [cukkah]. KJV-Interlinear

16 Then it will come about that any who are left of all the nations that went against Jerusalem will go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to celebrate the Feast of Booths. 17 And it will be that whichever of the families of the earth does not go up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, there will be no rain on them. 18 And if the family of Egypt does not go up or enter, then no rain will fall on them; it will be the plague with which the LORD smites the nations who do not go up to celebrate the Feast of Booths. 19 This will be the punishment of Egypt, and the punishment of all the nations who do not go up to celebrate the Feast of Booths. NASB

A quick clarification from yesterday s study. In the opening stages of the Battle of Armageddon, the King of the North will indeed launch whatever weapons he has, against the world. We saw that in our study of distant cities being bombarded. This will undoubtedly include nuclear weapons.

Likewise, when the King s of the West and East counterattack, they too will launch their missile weapons against the territory of the King of the North. We saw that this will result in the total destruction of that northern region. It will not annihilate the Northern Kings army, as most of them will be in the Middle East, in Israel.

The counterattacks using armed forces, soldiers, will be in the Middle East, in Israel, therefore nuclear weapons will not be used there. The people of that region will be safe in that respect.

When Christ finally returns, then in the last minutes, or seconds of the battle, He will annihilate all evil forces around the planet. No nukes here, just plain raw God-power. The Lord does not depend on mans weapons or mans efforts to accomplish His will.

1 Sam. 17:47

47 and that all this assembly may know that the LORD does not deliver by sword or by spear; for the battle is the LORD'S and He will give you into our hands. NASB

In the times prior to the Cross, the Israelites had several feasts that they were required to observe throughout the year. Three in particular required them to appear before the Lord, Ex. 23:17, Deut. 16:16, the festivals of the Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles.

Passover spoke of salvation, Pentecost spoke of Gods gift of the Holy Spirit, and Tabernacles taught of the provision from God while the Israelites were living in the wilderness.

The first two, have been fulfilled historically, and with the defeat of evil in the Battle of Armageddon, then the wilderness life by humanity in history, comes to an end.

This last celebration, the Feast of Tabernacles, celebrated in October of each year, is the only one that will be observed during the Millennium. It is a celebration of the re-gathering of Gods people, who have been scattered throughout the world, and a celebration of Gods divine provision and protection, for all who have looked to, and depended on, Him.

Deut. 11:16-17

16 Beware, lest your hearts be deceived and you turn away and serve other gods and worship them. 17 Or the anger of the LORD will be kindled against you, and He will shut up the heavens so that there will be no rain and the ground will not yield its fruit; and you will perish quickly from the good land, which the LORD is giving you. NASB

This celebration will keep in the front of peoples minds, that it is God, Jesus Christ, who provides constantly for their every need, lest they drift off into the old and invented, and absurd ways of the past.

For all who look to God and truth, then prosperity will rain down on them. For those who refuse to observe God and His provision, then prosperity, which always comes from God, will not go to them.

There is only one source of prosperity, and that is from Jesus Christ. To reject or become indifferent toward Him, means that one is looking to other sources for life and prosperity. Since there are no other sources, then they will not receive any prosperity for that year.

This will be a very simple lesson, but a very effective lesson.

The principle is true in our current day as well. Those who look to God, will be provided for. Those who look away from God, have the jungle rules of life to look to. And everyone should know that the jungle life can and is, very deceiving. There is a lot of false prosperity in the world, which becomes a distraction for people, turning their attentions away from God, doctrine, and their spiritual life.

Unfortunately, in our current day, if you do not get it during your life, then you won t get it until after you die. Then it will be too late.

Our Feast of Tabernacles today, should be reflected in our daily study of the Word of God. It is by Gods provision alone, that we even exist. There is nothing that we have, that God did not provide, or provide for. Whether it is our talent, our IQ, our gifts, our circumstances whatever they might be, God provided and continues to provide, for all of them.

To look to Him in your daily spiritual life, means that the rain of prosperity and His continued protection and provision, will always be there. To look away indignantly with resentfulness, annoyance or simple indifference means that you will end up as historical filler, a meaningless loser in life.

Now is the time to post a prayer.