“'And you shall count for yourselves from the day after the Sabbath, from the day that you brought the sheaf of the wave offering: seven Sabbaths shall be completed. Count fifty days to the day after the seventh Sabbath; then you shall offer a new grain offering to the LORD. You shall bring from your dwellings two wave [loaves] of two-tenths [of an ephah]. They shall be of fine flour; they shall be baked with leaven. [They are] the firstfruits to the LORD.” Leviticus 23:15-17 NKJV
Forty-nine days after the Feast of Firstfruits comes Shavuot, or the Feast of Weeks. We know it as Pentecost, but it is also known by other names such as the Festival of Weeks, and the Festival of Reaping or Ingathering. It occurs at the end of the wheat harvest in Israel, which is why it is associated with the theme of harvesting and the bringing of a sacrifice of grain to the Lord. Yet it is also a time of celebrating the harvest of the land, which includes all seven of the fruits of the land listed by God in the book of Deuteronomy.
“For the LORD your God is bringing you into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and springs, that flow out of valleys and hills; “a land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive oil and honey;” Deuteronomy 8:7-8 NKJV
There are a couple of things I have found particularly interesting about this feast day. The first is, while all the other Levitical feasts call for unleavened bread, Pentecost is the only one in which leavened bread is used. Traditionally leaven is considered a model of sin, and it would be fair to say that the Church is populated exclusively by forgiven sinners. Something else I personally found interesting is the tradition in Israel of reading the book of Ruth during this time.
Considered to be one of the greatest love stories to be found in the Bible, it is a story of how a Gentile, (non-Jew), was "redeemed", or bought with a price, by a "kinsman" or relative (who was a Jew) according to Jewish law, and then becomes the bride of her redeemer. This story is situated in Bethlehem with the events transpiring during the fifty days between the barley and wheat harvest. The redeemer (Boaz) takes his bride at the end of that time or at the Feast of Pentecost.
Because this story demonstrates how a Gentile could become a Jew, we can also see a perfect example of how Jesus Christ can redeem all who choose to accept His sacrifice, thus becoming His bride, the body of Christ. We find this was illustrated by the events which occurred on the Feast of Pentecost that followed after the resurrection of Jesus.
“When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, “Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? “And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born? “Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, “Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, “Cretans and Arabs—we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.” Acts 2:1-11 NKJV
Because the Feast of Pentecost was one of the three feasts in Israel that were compulsory to attend, Jerusalem was full of Jews from different lands. It was for this reason that the Holy Spirit gave the apostles the ability to speak in different languages, allowing the Gospel to be shared with everyone who was there. This is the day that many consider to be the birthday of the Church as not only did God send the Holy Spirit to indwell all who believe, but also arranged for the good news to be spread to other countries by virtue of these Jewish pilgrims returning home with the message of Jesus Christ.
The sixth of Sivan is a day which certainly has many different events associated with it. While Christians celebrate it as the birth of the Church, Jews celebrate it as the birth of the nation of Israel and the giving of the Law at Mt. Sinai. Yet curiously, one central theme can be found in all of these events and that is redemption. The Old Testament Law was given, Enoch was raptured, Ruth who was a Gentile was redeemed, and the Church was born and given the gift of the Holy Spirit to indwell. One overriding question is, though, as the firstfruits of the Holy Spirit, is this a day that the Church might look to as a possible day of redemption, or even possibly a wedding?
“For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.” Romans 8:22-23 NKJV
As we have seen, there are more than a few references to a "rapture" type event associated with the Feast of Pentecost. Will the Church be raptured on its birthday? Of course, no one knows and I certainly can't say for sure but I hope I'm not the only one who finds it more than curious that there seem to be so many events common to this particular day of the year. Jesus commanded us to watch for His return, and I for one think it very important to take Him at His word. I'm watching every day, and I hope the words I share with you in these pages encourage you to watch as well.
While many, myself included, have looked at this day as a possible time for our rapture, I can’t help but think of something we find in Jesus’ own words which might argue against it. The following passage is familiar to many and I believe there is something often overlooked in it which could be a clue of when the rapture does not occur, rather than when it might.
“Two women will be grinding together: the one will be taken and the other left. “Two men will be in the field: the one will be taken and the other left.” Luke 17:35,36 NKJV
The Feast of Pentecost is one of the feasts of Israel which is compulsory for all males of age to attend in Jerusalem. If you notice in this passage Jesus says that two men will be in the fields working. In this case, it seems logical that for this to happen it could not be on the Feast day because men would be attending the holiday and not working. We can take notice as well that two women are grinding, which would suggest that this day is not the sabbath as no work is allowed on that day.
While I wouldn’t rule out anything, I also strongly believe it could happen at any time so I will leave it for you to decide. I do, however, have one takeaway from this passage that I find particularly encouraging around this time of year. Returning to the picture of two women grinding, it is my understanding that wheat is the only grain grown in Israel which is ground to make flour, and if this is the case then this picture points to the time of the wheat harvest which occurs, you guessed it, right now in the spring.
Wouldn’t we all love to hear the trumpet sound and the call to come home in light of what we see the world becoming all around us right now? Will it be in the spring? I have no idea, but I do know we are called to share the same Gospel that the disciples did on that Pentecost so many years ago. Make it a point to tell others of the gift of redemption which is available to all who choose to believe in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ for our sins.
The feast of Pentecost is coming up shortly, and with the events we have been witnessing lately, it would not surprise me at all if we were to hear the trumpet and call at any time. If you have never accepted the gift of eternal life offered to us by the sacrifice of Jesus, simply pray a prayer like this;
Jesus I know that I am a sinner, and have sinned against you. I believe you loved me enough to send your Son Jesus to die for my sins, and that He rose from the dead so that I can live. Forgive me of my sins and come into my life and help me to live for you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Keep watching.
