The Last Great Day Solves a Biblical Enigma

Countless human beings have lived and died without ever hearing of Jesus Christ or knowing anything about the Bible. Many more have heard of Jesus Christ but never understood or pursued biblical Christianity. What happens to these billions of people?

The Bible teaches that Jesus Christ is the only way and name by which a person can be saved (Acts 4:12; John 10:9; 14:6), and God desires that every person repent and obtain salvation (1 Timothy 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9). However, no one can come to Jesus Christ unless drawn to Him by God the Father (John 6:44, 65), and God does not draw all people to Jesus Christ in their physical lifetimes (1 Corinthians 1:26–29; Matthew 11:25). In fact, Jesus spoke in parables precisely so that many people would not understand His message (Matthew 13:10–11). Furthermore, God has allowed most of mankind to be deceived and blinded by Satan (Revelation 12:9; 2 Corinthians 4:4; John 12:37–40; 1 Corinthians 2:6–12).

How to reconcile these biblical truths is one of the great “puzzles” of Christianity—and it is impossible to understand without the seventh of God’s annual festivals. The Bible explains that what is called “the eighth day” (Leviticus 23:36–39) and “the last day, that great day of the feast” (John 7:37) solves this puzzle.

Since most of mankind has obviously been deceived or never heard of the true God, Jesus Christ, or the Bible, God must have a plan to remove their deception and blindness after their physical lifetimes—and, indeed, this is foreshadowed by the last of God’s great annual festivals, which we call the Last Great Day.

Leviticus 23:33–44 is one of the longest passages describing the Feast of Tabernacles, which lasts seven days. It also describes an “eighth day,” which is a separate festival and occurs right after the seventh day of the Feast of Tabernacles. It is a “high Sabbath,” and examples of it being observed in the Old Testament are in Numbers 29:35, 2 Chronicles 7:9, and Nehemiah 8:18.

Jesus spoke of a future time of judgment for the sinful people who lived in the ancient cities of Tyre, Sidon, and even Sodom (Matthew 11:21–24). Revelation 20:5 describes the time after the 1,000-year reign of Christ when “the rest of the dead” will be resurrected to physical life (see Ezekiel 37:1–14). They will be taught and judged by the books of the Bible (Revelation 20:11–12). As Jesus did at times during His physical lifetime, He will “[open] their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures” (Luke 24:45). During His ministry on earth, when speaking on the Last Great Day, Jesus talked about how everyone would have access to Him and drink of His Holy Spirit (John 7:37–39). This will ultimately occur during this time of teaching and judgment, for which most of mankind will be resurrected.

Understanding the timing of God’s plan is vital for solving this important Bible enigma. The Last Great Day helps to explain that timing, because it foreshadows the final period of judgment in which most of mankind will have their first chance to know the true God and His plan of salvation, accept Christ as their Savior, and sincerely repent. Ultimately, God will present to every human being who ever lived the same choice He set before ancient Israel: “I have set before you life and death… therefore choose life” (Deuteronomy 30:19).

The Last Great Day symbolizes the culmination of God’s spectacular plan of salvation for all who ever lived. Mankind has always thirsted for peace, prosperity, health, abundance, and a strong and loving leader. The Last Great Day pictures the time when that thirst will finally be quenched—when Jesus Christ will say to every willing person, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink” (John 7:37).

To learn more about the Last Great Day and the rest of God’s feasts, you can order a free copy of The Holy Days: God’s Master Plan, or read it right here at TomorrowsWorld.org. Also, be sure to check out Is this the Only Day of Salvation?, which explains in much more detail what the Last Great Day foreshadows.