The Feast of Firstfruits or Pentecost is the third annual Sabbath described in Leviticus 23:9-22. It is commanded by God to be observed forever (Lev23:14,21). The New Testament church keeps this Festival every year, so did Christ and His chosen disciples. It is also known as the Feast of Weeks with its name derived from seven weeks plus one day to make fifty days - Pentecost. The Jews remember this festival as the 'shavuot' in Hebrew, and revealing of God's law at Mount Sinai. However, Pentecost is not just about keeping of the letter of the law, but the spiritual intent of God's laws. Only a clear understanding of the seven feast day will enable one to understand the purpose of human life.
God chose the day of Pentecost, fifty days after Christ ascension to heaven, to pour out His Holy Spirit on the 120 believers gathering at the upper room to pray and wait upon God (Acts 1:15). The gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out upon them when thy began to speak with other tongues (languages), as the Spirit gave them utterances (Acts 2:1-4). The crowd of visitors who gathered at Jerusalem hear the speech of the disciples in their native tongue (language) - demonstrating the presence of the God's Spirit upon His chosen disciples. God shows that His true church are those whom He has called and are empowered with the Holy Spirit. The indwelling of God's Spirit on His disciples made it possible for the church to express God's commandments of love to the sick and dying world (John13: 34-35).
In the ancient land of Palestine, there was an early small 'spring' grain harvest and a larger 'fall' harvest - signifying that God is now calling a small group of people (represented by the spring grain harvest) to form His church. The larger fall harvest to come will be when Christ returns to establish His kingdom on earth and all of mankind will learn of God's truth to be given the opportunity to receive eternal life. God is now dealing with His true church - for judgment must begin with the house of God (1 Pet 4:17) - to prepare them as the royal priesthood (1 Pet 2:9) to teach the multi-billions living and resurrected during the Millennium.
The Day of Pentecost signifies the founding of the church of God in A.D. 31 and the gifts of God's Holy Spirit to the church to empower those who are called as the firstfruits (James 1:18). The purpose of this is to train a small group of those who are called in the church age and be empowered with God's Holy Spirit to do His work on earth and later to assist Christ in reaping the great harvest (the 'fall' harvest) during the Millennium. Those who obey and do His will will be amply rewarded (Rev 3:21; 22:12).
The smaller spring harvest did not begin until the high priest offer the wave sheaf offering for God to accept. Similarly, the harvest of the firstfruits did not happen until Christ was accepted by God as the First of the Firstfruits ( the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep - 1 Cor 15:20). The Ten Commandments was given by God on Mount Sinai on the Feast of Pentecost. Although it was written in stone (Exodus 31:18) when first given to Moses, the New Testament church is commanded to have the spirit of the laws written on the tablet of their hearts (Jer 31:33).
Make no mistake, only those whom God has called and who obey His commandments will be given the Holy Spirit (Acts 5:32) to be empowered for transformation within and even to turn the world upside down (Acts 17:6). They that were called and obeyed (chosen) will be given to rule over cities when the Jesus Christ returns to set up His kingdom on earth (Luke 19:12-19). True believers are commanded to pray 'Thy kingdom come' (Matt 6:10).
God chose the day of Pentecost, fifty days after Christ ascension to heaven, to pour out His Holy Spirit on the 120 believers gathering at the upper room to pray and wait upon God (Acts 1:15). The gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out upon them when thy began to speak with other tongues (languages), as the Spirit gave them utterances (Acts 2:1-4). The crowd of visitors who gathered at Jerusalem hear the speech of the disciples in their native tongue (language) - demonstrating the presence of the God's Spirit upon His chosen disciples. God shows that His true church are those whom He has called and are empowered with the Holy Spirit. The indwelling of God's Spirit on His disciples made it possible for the church to express God's commandments of love to the sick and dying world (John13: 34-35).
In the ancient land of Palestine, there was an early small 'spring' grain harvest and a larger 'fall' harvest - signifying that God is now calling a small group of people (represented by the spring grain harvest) to form His church. The larger fall harvest to come will be when Christ returns to establish His kingdom on earth and all of mankind will learn of God's truth to be given the opportunity to receive eternal life. God is now dealing with His true church - for judgment must begin with the house of God (1 Pet 4:17) - to prepare them as the royal priesthood (1 Pet 2:9) to teach the multi-billions living and resurrected during the Millennium.
The Day of Pentecost signifies the founding of the church of God in A.D. 31 and the gifts of God's Holy Spirit to the church to empower those who are called as the firstfruits (James 1:18). The purpose of this is to train a small group of those who are called in the church age and be empowered with God's Holy Spirit to do His work on earth and later to assist Christ in reaping the great harvest (the 'fall' harvest) during the Millennium. Those who obey and do His will will be amply rewarded (Rev 3:21; 22:12).
The smaller spring harvest did not begin until the high priest offer the wave sheaf offering for God to accept. Similarly, the harvest of the firstfruits did not happen until Christ was accepted by God as the First of the Firstfruits ( the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep - 1 Cor 15:20). The Ten Commandments was given by God on Mount Sinai on the Feast of Pentecost. Although it was written in stone (Exodus 31:18) when first given to Moses, the New Testament church is commanded to have the spirit of the laws written on the tablet of their hearts (Jer 31:33).
Make no mistake, only those whom God has called and who obey His commandments will be given the Holy Spirit (Acts 5:32) to be empowered for transformation within and even to turn the world upside down (Acts 17:6). They that were called and obeyed (chosen) will be given to rule over cities when the Jesus Christ returns to set up His kingdom on earth (Luke 19:12-19). True believers are commanded to pray 'Thy kingdom come' (Matt 6:10).
No comments:
Post a Comment