The third platform of redemption is the spiritual fulfillment of the Old Testament feast of Tabernacles. We have been at Passover (the blood of the cross), at Pentecost (the power of the Holy Spirit), and now we face the coming of the Kingdom of God to earth by means of the spiritual fulfillment of the feast of Tabernacles.

In order to experience "Tabernacles" we must we willing to lose our head and to turn away from the world spirit. We must make the decision to live only and always for the will of the Lord Jesus. We must follow the Lamb wherever He goes. We must become the dwelling place of God and the Lamb.

The choice is ours today. We can choose to try to reach Heaven by using what we know of the Scriptures or we can turn away from the endeavors of flesh and blood and cast ourselves completely on the Lord. There is a further experience in God waiting for every believer who will seek the Lord with renewed determination. There indeed is a land of spiritual milk and honey, ready to be possessed. Those who come to the Lord for the spiritual fulfillment of the feast of Tabernacles will be made ready for the marriage of the Lamb, for the appearing of the Lord from Heaven.

In our own generation we can see the beginning of the rebellion against all authority. Also we can perceive in the religion of Humanism the concept that man is God, thus paving the way for a deceived Christian to finally declare himself to be God Almighty and to take his place between the wings of the cherubim in a restored Temple in Jerusalem.

The Apostle Paul spoke with the voice of Christ. The coming of the Lord shall not take place until first there has been the full mutiny against all authority and a man sits in the Temple in Jerusalem referring to himself as God. These two events are approaching the final stages of development.

The Christian churches have been deceived, just as the Lord Jesus warned.

And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. (Matthew 24:4)

The Lord was speaking of being deceived concerning His return. Such deception has been widespread throughout the twentieth century and continues in numerous churches.

Recently a member of our church was discussing the "rapture" with a fellow employee. The employee said, "If I did not believe in the rapture I would live differently," meaning he would become more serious about his consecration.

Our member responded, "Why do you believe in the rapture?"

The reply was, "I will have to ask my Pastor."

This incident caused us to attempt to define and isolate the "rapture" concept in our mind in order to evaluate its effect on the Christian churches. We pondered what the effect would be on the churches if suddenly the belief in the any-moment pre-tribulation "rapture" were removed. Would the believers change their behavior in any manner? If so, how would they change? Would they serve the Lord more fervently or less fervently?

We derived from our meditation that the "rapture" error has created an unfounded optimism concerning the future. There is no doubt that terrible judgments are about to fall on the earth. But the believers will not take heed to their behavior, continuing in their silly, immature fashion because of this unfounded optimism. Instead of preparing themselves and their loved ones for the catastrophes at hand they exclaim, "I know terrifying troubles are ahead for the world. But what do I care! I won't be here!"

To be continued.