FEAST OF PENTECOST

FEAST OF PENTECOST

HALELLUYAH! 

We bless the glorious Name of YAHWEH our FATHER for this Year’s Feast of Pentecost.   I thank Abba FATHER for the Feast of Passover and Unleavened Bread celebrated in April, which ushered in the New Year of Israel.  We are once again, pleased to invite you for the Feast of Pentecost which we commemorate at this time of the year.  Feast of Pentecost or Shavout (Heb.), is 24 hours celebration that mark the giving of TORAH [Instruction] or LAW in the wilderness (Exodus 20:1-17; Deuteronomy 5:7-21).  Its celebration also remind us about the LAW promised to be Renewed in YAHSHUA MESSIAH through His Spirit in this latter days (Jeremiah 31:31-34; Matthew 26:26-29; Ezekiel 36:25).   Therefore, the Feast of Pentecost is a celebration of the coming of the PROMISED HOLY SPIRIT through which the COVENANT COMMANDMENTS OR LAW is now obeyed by all believers in YAHSHUA MESSIAH (John 15:26; John 16:13; Galatians 5:22-23; John 14:15).  

In view of the current pandemics, we shall be reached during the Feast via Skype. The Sabbath Worship begins on the Sunday morning.   You and your family members are cordially invited to celebrate the Feast with us.  Also let your friends join us so that we worship and honour our FATHER YAHWEH together.

OBEDIENT ISRAEL DEPICTED AS FIRST WHEAT HARVEST

Feast of Pentecost – Harvesting of Firstfruits [Exodus 34:26]

Why the Feast of Pentecost?

The Feast of Pentecost is commanded by our heavenly Father in Leviticus 23:9-23 to observe it every year.  We celebrate it to mark the giving of the LAW and the receiving of His Spirit that renews the LAW in our hearts, and empowers us to obey the law (Jeremiah 31:31-34; Ezekiel 36:25-27; Matthew 26:26-29; Galatians 5:22-23).  Pentecost is not a human doctrine or commandment.  The Feast of Pentecost offers observers incredible insight into our Father’s Plan for our salvation, particularly His people that are being called at this age.  In this feast, we are not only celebrating the giving and receiving of the LAW (Ten Commandments) or ‘Shavout’ in the wilderness but also the remembrance of our fathers’ 40 years in the wilderness.  As Feast depicting harvest of wheat at this time of the year, we are reminded by celebrating it that we are YAHWEH’S firstfruits, YAHSHUA being the foremost FIRSTFRUIT of the FATHER amongst brethren.   As firstfruit being harvested by YAHSHUA Himself, we are also being prepared to take hold of YAHWEH’S Covenant Commandments, and to learn it, do it, and teach it to others (Matthew 5:19), because it’s the LAW OF TOMORROW’S GOVERNMENT OF YAHSHUA with which He will rule the world with the saints [Isaiah 2:2-3; Exodus 34:26; Revelation 20:6; Luke 12:32].  YAHSHUA will govern not only Israel with this Law but the entire mankind at His return.   Our obedience to keep the Feast therefore prepares us as firstfruit to learn and understand the Master-plan of Yahshua who we will join to rule nations  of the world in His Second Coming (Isaiah 9:6-7; Daniel 2:44; Daniel 7:27; Isaiah 40:5; Matthew 24:30; Revelation 1:6; Revelation 5:10; Revelation 20:6; Acts 1:11; Revelation 1:7; 1 John 3:2). 

Giving of the Torah [LAW] and Ten Commandments

Ten Commandments – Summary of Torah

On the 50th day after the Israelites left Egypt and were in the wilderness around Mount Sinai, YHWH presented Moses with the Torah, or Ten Commandments [COVENANT COMMANDMENTS].  According to the classical timeline, the Israelites arrived at the wilderness of Sinai on the new moon (Ex. 19:1) and the Ten Commandments was given on the following Shabbat (i.e., Saturday).  In accepting these, the Israelites became a nation committed to serving YHWH and Shavuot marks the anniversary of this event. There are similarities between Shavuot and the modern Jewish festival of Pentecost.  Pentecost, or Whitsun, is 49 days after PASSOVER and celebrates the coming of the Holy Spirit onto YAHSHUA’S followers in line with His Promise (Isaiah 40:5; Matthew 24:30; Acts 1:11; Revelation 1:7; 1 John 3:2).

BARLY WHEAT

Obedient Israel Depicted as Firstfruit Wheat Harvest

Feast of Pentecost is not only about the giving of the Ten Commandments but also about Barley Wheat. The period between Passover, when Jewish people celebrate their liberation from slavery in Egypt, and Shavuot, is known as the Counting of the Omer [Barley Wheat].  This marks a period of spiritual preparation before the Torah is received.  In the time of the Temple in Jerusalem, Jewish people offered a sacrifice of an Omer (a measure) of barley in the temple on each of the 49 days after Passover.  On the 50th day, known as Shavuot, they offer wheat at the temple.  In modern times, Jewish people remember this during the Counting of the Omer by counting the number of days since Passover each night after sundown.  They may use scrolls, tear-off calendars, magnets, pin boards, mobile telephone SMS reminders or email services to help them to remember to do this.

Important Symbol of Shavuot

An important symbol of Shavuot is the Bikkurim or first fruits. This was a basket of gold or silver that contained the first harvest of the Seven Species crops and was carried to the Temple in Jerusalem in a procession accompanied by music. These crops are: barley; dates; figs; grapes; olives; pomegranates; and wheat.  Modern versions of the Bikkurim may include other crops now grown in Israel or other Jewish communities around the world.  Images of the Ten Commandments inscribed on stones or scrolls representing the Torah are also symbolic of Shavuot.  Why is Barley Wheat symbolic?

And YAHWEH spake unto Moses saying, speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, when ye be come into the land which I give unto you, and shall reap the harvest thereof, then ye shall bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest unto the priest (see John 20:15-17). And he shall wave the sheaf before YAHWEH, to be accepted for you: on the morrow after the Sabbath the priest shall wave it (John 20:17).  And ye shall offer that day when ye wave the sheaf an he lamb without blemish of the first year for a burn offering unto YAHWEH.  And the meat offering thereof shall be two tenth deals of fine flour mingled with oil, an offering made by fire unto YAHWEH for a sweet savour: and the drink offering thereof shall be of wine, the fourth part of an hin.  And ye shall eat either bread, nor parched corn, nor green ears, until the selfsame day that ye have brought an offering unto your ELOHIM: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations in all your dwellings (Leviticus 23:9-14).

This is the reason Barley Wheat is important.  Firstfruit of barley wheat belong to YAHWEH.  The people take the sheaf of the wheat to the Priest on the ‘on the morrow after the Sabbath’ (i.e. Sunday), and the Priest shall wave the sheaf before YAHWEH for His acceptance.   YAHSHUA accomplished the task of Priest for us all.  On His resurrection on Sunday morning, He went to the FATHER in heaven (John 20:17) presented Himself to the FATHER and all believers for the FATHER’S acceptance.  Other offerings that go along with the barley wheat sheaf included:

1. He Lamb without blemish of the first year – Yahshua became the offering lamb – required for burnt offering unto YAHWEH – fulfilled by YAHSHUA;
2. Meat Offering: requires two-tenth deals of fine flour mingled with oil;
3. Offering made by fire unto YAHWEH – required for a sweet savour;
4. Drink Offering made of Wine – required one-fourth part of an hin;

Thus YAHSHUA is the firstfruit of the Kingdom, and followed by all believers keeping the commandments of YAHWEH and follow the footsteps of YAHSHUA – they also becomes the firstfruit of the FATHER for the Kingdom.  At the return of YAHSHUA, He and all the firstfruits will reign with Him a thousand years.  This is the reason obedient to His WORD is absolutely important, now.

YAHSHUA – HIGH PRIEST [Hebrews 7:15 – 8:1-13].

So, today, all believers in YAHSHUA are adequately covered by YAHSHUA’S accomplished sheaf presentation to the FATHER.  From the time YAHSHUA accomplished presenting Himself and believers before the FATHER, He assumed the position of our High Priest after the similitude of Melchisedec:

Who [i.e. YAHSHUA] is made not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life. [This did not nullify Ten Commandments rather that OATH of YAHWEH is superior to any commandment].  For He testified THOU ART A PRIEST FOR EVER AFTER THE ORDER OF MELCHISEDEC (see Ps. 110:4).  For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and profitableness thereof.  For the law made nothing perfect but the bringing in of a better hope did; by which we draw nigh unto Elohim. (Rom. 8:3).  And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest: (For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by Him that said unto Him, YAHWEH SWARE AND WILL NOT REPENT THOU ART A PRIEST FOR EVER AFTER THE ORDER OF MELCHISEDEC) (Hebrews 7:15-21; also see Ps. 110:4).

Thus the position of High Priest now rests on YAHSHUA who assumes a type of Melchisedec priest.  As our High Priest, the priesthood of Livis’ are disannulled (v. 18), because human priesthood is not forever, hence the position needed a Priest without sin who lives ever and by Himself save His people. 

Note: Many Jewish holidays begin at sundown the day before the date specified for the holiday.

Counting of the Omer

The Torah states that the Omer offering (i.e., the first day of counting the Omer) is the first day of the barley harvest (Deut. 16:9).  It should begin “on the morrow after the Shabbat” of [Passover/Unleavened Bread], and continue to be counted for seven Sabbaths. (Lev. 23:11).

How Is Shavuot Celebrated?

• Women and girls light holiday candles to usher in the holiday, on both the first and second evenings of the holidays. 
• It is customary to stay up all night learning Torah on the first night of Shavuot. 
• All men, women and children should go to the Temple on the first day of Shavuot to hear the reading of the Ten Commandments. 
• As on other holidays, special meals are eaten, and no “work” may be performed. 
• It is customary to eat dairy foods on Shavuot. Menus range from traditional cheese blintzes to quiches, casseroles and more. 
• On the second day of Shavuot, the Yizkor memorial service is recited. 
• Some communities read the Book of Ruth publicly, as King David—whose passing occurred on this day—was a descendant of Ruth the Moabite. 
• Some have the custom to decorate their homes (and synagogues) with flowers and sweet-smelling plants in advance of Shavuot. 

 SHALOM!

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