The 8^th Day

An Introduction

  "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness,

but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish

        but that all should come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9 NIV).

I had so many questions....

            How will the LORD save the pagans who lived in ignorance, and the children, and those mentally challenged? My upbringing in the Seventh-day Adventist denomination just did not have any adequate answers. Babies would be saved, only if at least one parent was in covenant. I remember wondering why a great grandparent, or an aunt, or a distant cousin wouldn't do. I remember reading that the Lord could not take the slave to heaven because he had lived in ignorance, so God would leave him dead - like a beast. That just did not seem right to me.

            I knew that Gentiles were “separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenant of promise, having no hope and without God in the world” (Eph. 2:11-12), but I also knew that the Lord is “not willing that any should perish” (2 Pet. 3:9). He “desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Tim. 2:4). If that is so, then I just knew that the LORD would provide a way. But how?

            With the Lord “a thousand years is as a day, and a day as a thousand years” (2 Peter 3:8). This book is about the 8th millennium, which I call The 8th Day. The concept is simple, but the book has many chapters, because I must clarify several core concepts in order to build the foundation. It is easy to say what one believes. It is more difficult to explain - from Scripture - why one holds a belief. I would never presume to say that my view is absolute divine truth. I can only tell you what I believe, why I believe it, and then ask that you look up the Scriptures for yourselves, with prayer.

            I believe that Yeshua Messiah (Jesus Christ) - the Son of God, will return at the end of this age - at the end of the 6th millennium from the fall of Adam. On that day there will be a great resurrection. Those in covenant with Him will be made immortal, and those who knowingly continued in rebellion will face judgment and then eternal death.

            Rather than set up His kingdom immediately upon His return, Christ will transport the redeemed to the Father's House (Heaven) where “He has prepared a place”. They will prepared to serve as priests. See the chapter - “A Kingdom of Priests”. The earth will be devastated by the bowls of wrath (seven last plagues) and will remain desolate and uninhabited for a thousand years (the 7th or sabbath millennium). See the chapter titled “Millennium”.

            At the beginning of the 8th millennium (The 8th Day), Christ will return to the earth with His priesthood of redeemed Israel. They will build Ezekiel's Temple, and then a healing river will flow out. Where the river flows everything will come back to life - grass, trees, butterflies, animals. The earth will once again support life. Finally "the rest of the dead" will "live again" (Rev. 20:5). This is the last great resurrection. See the chapter - “The 8^th Day”.

            Millions of human beings have lived without ever hearing of God Our Father, or of Christ His Son. They will be resurrected and given the opportunity to know Him. Those raised to life at The 8th Day were never "called" during their lifetime. They did not clearly hear the message.

            Some will say that I am teaching a "second chance" doctrine. I am NOT. Those resurrected at The 8th Day to continue their lives in the kingdom of Messiah on earth, were not "called" during their lifetimes. They lived in darkness. They had no knowledge of Yahweh or of His Son. Individuals may have lived with a hypocrite who misrepresented and distorted the truth. Others may have died as children, or been mentally challenged, or simply have lived at a time or in a place where the truth of God was unknown.

            Entrance into the Kingdom of Our Elohiym is based upon covenant. Covenant is a chosen relationship - a healing faith relationship. It is not about counting – sins committed vs sins forgiven. It is a matter of intelligent choice, and choice requires an awareness of options. Our God is just - and justice requires that every human being be given the opportunity to choose.

            Babies are innocent - not guilty of any sin - but babies cannot make an informed choice. They cannot enter into covenant. That is why they must be resurrected to continue their lives in the Kingdom of Messiah on the earth. Along with all of the multitudes who lived in ignorance, they will be raised to life at The 8th Day. If not received by their own biological parents, I am sure that the LORD will see to it that they are lovingly raised by others.

            Christ will rule these resurrected nations through His priesthood. See the chapter - “A Kingdom of Priests”. The priests will decide disputes, and teach the law. The law will go forth from Zion (Isaiah 2:3). Many will come to know the Father and His Son, and will enter into covenant. Peace will reign - but not forever. Before the end of The 8th Day, there will be a rebellion.

            Satan will deceive many from the nations into believing they can overthrow the government of Christ. Those in covenant will enter the City of Jerusalem for protection, while "outside" Gog will lead the horde of Magog in an attack. The LORD will defend His City. Fire will come down from heaven, and will consume the army of Gog.

            The LORD must be just with every human being. His judgment of those who stubbornly refuse His healing covenant will come in three stages.

            First: At the end of this present age, Christ will return to judge all of those who have knowingly lived in rebellion against Him. They will be resurrected to face judgment, and then they will be left behind to die in the last plagues. Their bodies will be consumed as the whole earth is burned by fire. See the study - “Judgment Day”.

            Second: During the 8th millennium, Gog and his hordes will die when they attack the City of the LORD. Every enemy of the LORD who has ever lived on the earth will then be physically dead. See the chapter - “Gog and Magog”.

            Third: Following the Battle of Gog & Magog, there will be a final judgment - a final review of the evidence concerning each person who is now physically dead, but still retained in the memory of God. This final judgment is not for God. He needs no record books. The living must see that God has been just with each individual. They must look again at the evidence, and must agree with the final verdict - annihilation - in the "lake of fire." I do not believe in unending conscious torment. I do not believe the lost are conscious, when God's retained memory of them is "blotted out." I will cover the "lake of fire" in one of the final chapters of this book.

See the chapter - “The Book of Life” and the chapter - “Final Judgment - Lake of Fire”.

Also “Where Are the Dead?” and “Hell - What It’s NOT!”

            The earth - now cleansed of sin, will become the home of the redeemed for all eternity. The Holy City - New Jerusalem, illumined by the glory of God and the Lamb, will descend from out of Heaven. Mankind will be reunited with THE FATHER.

            In a few paragraphs I have just summarized the content of this book. The study has taken years, but my questions have been answered. I am fully satisfied of the justice and amazing love of God Our Father.

WHY THIS BOOK?

            The people of God are about to be tried and tested. Every belief will be questioned - every tenant of faith held up to scrutiny. At the same time they will be tried physically, financially, socially, and legally. If questions remain unanswered regarding the character and justice of God, those questions will eat away at the faith and strength of the righteous. We cannot simply believe something because our pastor, or a professor of theology, or our best friend (the one who studies) believes it. When the rightness of our God is vindicated by the evidence, we are lifted. Our faith is strengthened. We see anew, that He had a plan. My prayer is that this book will shed new light on His plan - and therefore His character.

WHY NOW?

            If believers of centuries past had realized that the LORD will resurrect every human being who died in ignorance - what then? If they knew that the LORD will give these people the opportunity to know Him, and to choose Him as LORD - would these disciples have felt the need to "go and teach?" Why go to distant and dangerous lands, if Christ can simply resurrect those folks later? My answer would be - because Christ needs priests from every nation, kindred, tongue and people AND from every time period. They must return, during the future 8th Day Kingdom - to their own nations, tribes, and clans. In this way, their witness will be personal and powerful and their governance more acceptable. I am personally convinced that this truth has been hidden. Now - as we enter the last days - it is time for a fuller understanding of the justice of God.

Shalom and Blessings

Rachel Cory-Kuehl

            You have just finished reading the introduction to Rachel’s recently published book - “The 8^th Day”. To continue reading chapter by chapter, go to the home page of the Prophecy Viewpoint website. Then click on the picture of the book cover. Then click on the next chapter. We suggest reading the chapters sequentially so you will not miss vital clues to understanding.