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Pentecost adds to the calendar for the Bride of Christ.
This feast (also called the feast of "Harvest" Exod.23:16, and the feast of "Weeks" Exod.34:22) was celebrated 50 days after the Feast of Passover.(Lev.23:15-22) This was the third month in Israel's calendar. It was fulfilled on the "day of Pentecost" as the Feast of Harvest / Weeks was being
celebrated. (Acts.2:1-17) Just as Passover was fulfilled on the same day (Matt.26:17, Mark.14:17, Luke.22:14, Matt.27:57-62) this Feast was also fulfilled on the same day. That is why "there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men out of every nation under heaven." (Acts.2:5) They were there to celebrate this Feast of Harvest / Weeks. (Exod.23:14-19, Deut.12:1-12; 16:16, 1Chron.17:1-15; 22:1-19)
This is God confirming that He will abide by His calendar (Blueprint) that was foreshadowed by the Church in the wilderness. "If we believe not. yet he abideth faithful: He cannot deny Himself." (2Tim.2:13, Num.23:19, Heb.6:13-18) Note: Chart below
(This chart is the combination of Phase.2,4,8,9,11)
This Feast was 50 days after Passover
"And ye shall count unto you from the morrow after the sabbath, from the day that ye brought the sheaf of the wave offering; seven Sabbaths shall be complete: Even unto the morrow after the seventh sabbath shall ye number fifty days; and ye shall offer a new meat offering unto the Lord."
(Lev 23:15-17) Note: The pattern (blueprint) is being fulfilled exactly
1. Jesus was crucified as our Passover
2. Jesus was buried (Unleavened Bread)
3. Jesus rose again as the Firstfruits from the grave and appeared to the disciples
4. Showed Himself alive for forty days. (Acts.1:3)
5. They were told to wait in Jerusalem "for the promise of the Father." (Acts.1:4, Luke.24:49)
6. This was a great harvest time. (Acts.2:41; 4:4; 5:14)
Why wait 50 days for the "promise of the Father?"
Jesus "commanded them (the disciples) that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait
for the promise of the Father..." (Acts 1:4)
1. This wait was according to the pattern
a. Count fifty days
Even unto the morrow after the seventh sabbath shall ye number fifty days; and ye shall
offer a new meat offering unto the Lord. Ye shall bring out of your habitations two wave loaves
of two tenth deals: they shall be of fine flour; they shall be baken with leaven; they are the
firstfruits unto the Lord." (Lev.23:16-17, Matt.5:17-19)
b. This was a shadow
The feast days are a "shadow (blueprint) of things (i.e. The New Testament Church that
was) to come." (Col.2:16-17) This is why the apostle Paul wrote, "brethren, (Church) I
would not that (you) should be ignorant..." (ignore) God's patterns. (time table 1Cor.10:11,
Rom.15:4)
2. The Pentecostal movement (1906-19--?)
They built a doctrine around this event call "tarrying" for the Holy Ghost. This is where you
have to "tarry" until you are sanctified enough to recieve the gift of the Holy Spirit.
a. Tarrying
Tarrying or waiting in God's presence is a good thing. (Isa.40:31) However, Jesus (who is
the baptizer / Matt.3:11) was "made...to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be
made the righteousness of God in him." (2 Cor 5:21) We have been pre-qualified to recieve
the Holy Ghost as soon as we are saved. (Note: Acts.10:44-48; 15:7-8)
b. Now we recieve, not wait
After the day of Pentecost they "recieved" the gift of the Holy Ghost. There was no
more "tarrying." (Acts.2:38; 8:17; 10:47; 19:2)
3. There were two groups at the Day of Pentecost
One group was Peter, James, John, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James
the son of Alphaeus, Simon Zelotes, Judas the brother of James. (Acts.1:13) "These all
continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of
Jesus, and with his brethren. And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples,
and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty." (Acts 1:13-16)
The other group was those that "were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout (circumspect,
[prudent, cautious, careful, vigilant] pious [religious, virtuous, moral] ) men, out of every
nation under heaven." (Acts 2:5-6) They were there out of honor and respect for God's Word.
a. Compare these two groups. The disciples and the devout Jews
(1) Both groups were told to be there on the 50th
day at the City of Jerusalem
(a) The devout Jews
These were instructed to come to Jerusalem
to celebrate this Feast day. (The Feast of
Harvest / Weeks) (Lev.23:1-21, Deut.12:1-
12, 16:16)
(b) The disciples
They were told not to depart from
Jerusalem. (Acts.1:4) These knew nothing
about God's pattern, however they had
been with Jesus.
(2) Both groups knew that there would be a visitation
of God.
(a) The devout Jews
They knew from the Law of Moses that
"a prophet shall he Lord thy God will
raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst
of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto
him ye shall hearken." (Deut 18:15; 32:21,
Isa.65:1-2) They were looking for the
Messiah. (Gen.3:15; 49:10, Isa.9:7,
Micah.5:2, Dan.9:25, John.1:41; 4:25) However their "heart (had) waxed gross,
and their ears (had) become dull of hearing" (Matt.13:10-17) and had allowed
tradition and philosophy of men to cause them to miss God's visitation. (Note:
Isaiah had prophesied that God would use tongues. (Isa.28:11)
(b) The disciples
They understood that there would be another comforter. (John.7:38-39; 14:16;
16:12-15) What they received was the Baptism (i.e. to immerse, submerge; to make
overwhelmed)1 in the Holy Ghost. They had no idea that it would be speaking in
tongues.
(3) The devout Jews were celebrating the sign.
(a) They "were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying...what meaneth this?" (Acts.2:12)
(b) Others "mocking said, These men are full of new wine." (Acts.2:13)
(4) The disciples were celebrating the reality. (The fulfillment, completion)
Peter stood up and said, "This is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel..." (Acts.2:17)
Note: Expect these two groups to develop again when God fulfills the Feast of
Tabernacles. Which group will you be in?
The apostle Peter declared "this is that" which was spoken by the prophet Joel."
Peter said, under the inspiration of God, "This (the day of Pentecost) is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; (Joel.2:28-32, 2Tim.3:16-17)...it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
(Acts.19:6, Rom.12:6, 1Cor.12:10) and your young men shall see visions, (Acts.9:10; 10:3, 9-19; 16:9; 18:9) and your old men shall dream dreams." (Acts.2:16-18) The apostles' doctrine (Acts.2:42) is interpreting Joel into the New Covenant.
1. What about these verses? (Joel.2:28-32)
And "I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth,
blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be
turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the
great and the terrible day of the Lord come. And it shall
come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name
of the Lord shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in
Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the Lord hath said,
and in the remnant whom the Lord shall call."
(Joel.2:28-32)
a. These are future events
(1) The Sun does not turn into darkness and
the Moon to blood until the sixth seal.
(Rev.6:12) Future to us today!
(2) The "day of Pentecost, was not the great and
terrible day of the Lord. (Joel.2:28-32)
b. How do we reconcile this? (Click here for chart comparing
The answer is in what Peter said to the scoffers of his "Pentecost" with Acts and Epistles.)
day. He said, "Be not ignorant of this one thing, that one
day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not
slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward,
not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." (2Peter.3:8-9,
Psa.90:4) Review: Phase 3
(1) Peter was in the beginning of the last days. (The last two days, 2,000 years, 5th.
and 6th day) Review: Redemptive Week, Phase 3
(2) The Sun will turn into darkness and the Moon into blood during the opening of the seven
seals, towards the end of the sixth day. (Review: Eschatology One, Phase.10)
Note: Joel is prophesying to the entire Church Age. (The 5th and 6th. day, 2,000 yrs)
Why do some say that the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and Gifts are not for today, when the
apostles' doctrine and the prophet Joel declares that it is for the "last days." (5th and 6th
day) (Acts.2:17, 42 / Eph.2:20-22)
To confirm what the "apostle" Peter said. (Acts.2:42. Eph.2:20-22) Paul interpreted
Passover (Exod.12:1-15) to be Jesus crucified (1Cor.5:7-8) He interpreted the Red Sea
(Exod.14:10-31) to our Baptism. (1Cor.10:1-3, 11) He interpreted Sinai (Exod.19:3, 16)
to be "earthly" Jerusalem. (Gal.4:21-31) He interpreted Mt.Zion (1Chron.11:1-5) and the
City of Jerusalem to be the Church. (Heb.12:18-22) Why then would Holy Spirit cause
the "apostle" to interpret Joel contrary to the pattern that Holy Spirit inspired.
Now Peter (by the inspiration of God 2Tim.3:16-17) is now interpreting Pentecost to be
the reality of Joel's Word. (Review: Phase 2 for explanation of Chart)
.
Note the language of the Book of Joel
When Joel "spoke" he used the language of the feast of Pentecost and Tabernacles (Lev.23:15-44; 16:1-34, Deut.11:14) It is this language (Acts.2:17, Joel.2:28, 1Peter.1:10-12, Col.2:16-17) that the apostle Peter, (Note: Eph.2:20-22) uses to lay the "foundation" (direction, guidance 1Cor.3:10-12) for the New Testament Church. Remember: During the "forty days" (Acts.1:3, Luke.24:1-45) when Jesus had "shewed (showed) Himself alive after His passion," He had opened
Peter's understanding to the Law, Prophets and the Psalms. Now the Holy Spirit is bringing it back to his rememberance. (Luke.24:1-45, John.14:26)
Peter was not just interpreting Joel.2:28-32,
he was giving us the key to unlocking the entire Book of Joel!
Look at this language! (Matt.16:19)
1. The language of the Feasts is the language of the Kingdom of God.
The apostle Paul "expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning
Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, (this would include Joel) from
morning till evening." (Acts.28:23-31, 1Cor.2:1-14)
a. Language meaning, patterns, blueprint, ensamples, shadows, types
(1) The blood atonement is kingdom language.
(2) The Tabernacle is kingdom language. The writer of Hebrews says, "it was a figure for the
time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him
that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience; Which stood only in meats
and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time
of reformation." (Heb.9:9-10) Until the time that Christ came.
(a) When Jesus came He came said, "Think not that I am come to destroy the
(language, types, shadows ensamples of the) law, or the prophets: I am not
come to destroy, but to fulfil. (Matt.5:17-18, Acts.3:19-20, Rev.10:7)
(b) Paul (the wise master builder / architect 1Cor.3:10-15) says the feast (holy) days
(including Pentecost / Joel) was a "shadow of things to come; but the body is of
Christ" (Col.2:16-17) The reality is in Christ
Kingdom language must include the feast days!
b. We must speak the same thing (Kingdom Language)
(1) "Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all
speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be
perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment." (1Cor.1:10)
This can only happen when we all speak God's Word.
(2) Speech seasoned with salt of God's Word. (Col.4:6, Matt.5:13, Eph.4:29)
(3) Speaking the same thing is not appeasing another other
(a) We are the speak the truth (Thy Word is truth John.17:17) in love. (Eph.4:15)
(b) We are not to add or take away from God's Word. (Prov.30:5) Eve added to the
word of God. Result was deception. (Gen.2:17; 3:1-4, 2Cor.11:1-3)
c. Note the example of Nehemiah's day (Rom.15:4)
Nehemiah could not communicate with the people of God because they did not understand
his language.(Neh.13:23) They were not speaking "same thing" because their language had
become a mixture of "half...the speech of Ashdod, and could NOT speak in the Jews'
language." (Neh.13:23)
(1) Ashdod, Ammon and Moab were the inhabitants of the land that was suppose to have
been driven out of the land. (Gen.12:1; 15:1-21, Deut.6:10-15)
(a) Ashdod, Amon and Moab represent this world (Josh.15:47, 1Sam.5:5, Psa.83:1-
7) because these people were opposed to God.
(b) The world is defined as, the lust of the eyes, flesh and the pride of life. (1John.2:16)
(2) They "married wives of Ashdod...Amon and Moab" (Neh.13:23) which was forbidden
by God. (Gen.24:3; 28:1, Deut.7:1-3)
(a) We are "espoused" (engaged) to Christ now. Living with the "lust of the eyes, the
flesh and the pride of life" is spirutal abultery with this world. (James.4:1-4, 2Cor.11:3)
(b) This produces "half the speech of Ashdod, Ammon and Moab" preventing the
Church from speaking "the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you;
but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same
judgment." (1Cor.1:10)
We must speak the "unadulterated" Word of God!
(Unadulterated - pure, untouched, untainted, unmodified)
d. The apostles spoke the kingdom of God language
(1) The apostle Peter, "This is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel." (Joel)
(2) The apostle James, "To this agree the words of the prophets (Amos.9:11-12, Isa.16:5)
2. Joel spoke of "Zion"
It was "the Spirit of Christ which was in...(Joel)...did signify, when it testified beforehand the
sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow." (1Peter.1:11-12) Be "glad then, ye children
of Zion, and rejoice in the Lord your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and
he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month.
And the floors shall be full of wheat, and the fats shall overflow with wine and oil." (Joel 2:23-25,
2Sam.5:7, Psa.125:1, Rom.9:23, 1Peter.2:6 / Eph.2:20-22, Heb.12:22) After the Cross, "Zion"
is the Church.
.
(Review: The Bible is One Book)
2. Joel spoke of the former and latter rains
He "hath given you the former rain (Deut.11:14, Lev.26:4, Hosea.6:3) moderately, and he
will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain." Joel.2:23 (This is the language of
the Feast of Pentecost, [i.e. The day of Pentecost] Harvest, or Weeks. Remember, Joel is
speaking to us using the typical language (1Cor.10:1-11, Rom.15:4) of the Old Covenant.
(1Peter.1:10-12)
a. God said, "My doctrine shall drop as the rain." (Deut.32:2, Isa.55:10) This responsibility
is given to the Holy Spirit who leads us into all truth. (John.16:13; 17:17)
b. Jesus likened water (river) to the Baptism of the Holy Ghost. (John.7:38-39, Titus.3:5)
c. The purpose of the rain was to "gather in" their corn... wine... oil," (Deut.11:14) which is
the purpose of the Spirit of God. To gather in the harvest. (John.6:44; 16:8)
d. The rain was so that the seed would yield it's fruit. (Deut.11:11-17) Paul says, I have planted.
(i.e. the seed of the Word - Matt.13:1-23, 1Peter.1:23) Apollos has watered (John.4:14,
2Peter.2:17) and God gave the increase. (1Cor.3:1-10, Deut.28:12)
e. God will come unto us as the former and latter rains. (Hosea.6:3, James.5:7-8)
f. Gods favor is as the rain. (Prov.16:15)
h. A false gift is like clouds and wind without rain. (Prov.25:14, Jude.1:12)
i. Rain righteousness unto you. (Hosea.10:12)
The rain foreshadows the out pouring of the Holy Ghost. (Kingdom of God language!)
3. Note: Joel did not stop there.
He continued to prophesy about a "latter rain." (Deut.11:4, Zech.10:1, Joel 2:23) He "hath given
you the former rain (Deut.11:14, Lev.26:4, Hosea.6:3) moderately, and he will cause to come
down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month " Joel.2:23 This
rain was during the last great Feast, the Feast of Tabernacles (also called, Booths - Neh.8:1-
17 and ingathering - Exod.23:16; 34:22)
This "latter rain" is the out pouring of the Spirit in the last day
(Review: God's Redemptive Week, Phase 3) (James.5:7) in the first month.
a. Note: Tabernacles is still ahead of the Church
The reason is because there is no record of the Church experiencing the reality of this feast.
There is a record of the Feast of Passover being fulfilled, (1Cor.5:7-8) and the day of
Pentecost fully coming, (Acts.2:1) but no place in scripture where it says, "when the Feast of
Tabernacles had fully come."
b. Now it can be understood why we are in the last of the last days
Peter, John. and the writer of Hebrews were not mistaken when they wrote it was the "last
days" during the time of the 1st. century. It has been the last 2 thousand year days (the 5th. and
6th. day) since the Cross. (Acts.2:17, Heb.1:1-2, 1Peter.1:20, 1John.2:18, 1Cor.7:29) It could
be said, we are in the last of the last days.
4. Joel prophesied "and the floors shall be full of wheat,
This is also the language of the Feast of Pentecost, Harvest, Weeks) This was the grain
harvest. (Exod.34:22, Deut.16:9-10; 24:19)
a. The reality of the grain harvest is people
"Then saith he (Jesus) unto his disciples, The harvest (wheat) truly is plenteous, but the
labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers
into his harvest. (Matt 9:37-10:1; 13:30-39, Mark.4:29, Luke.10:2, John.4:35)
b. There was a great harvest of people in the 1st. century Church
"Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added
unto them about three thousand souls." (Acts 2:41-42) "and the number of the men was about
five thousand." (Acts 4:4-5) Then there were "multitudes." (Acts.5:14)
It should be noted: That there is no Biblical record of Joel's Word from God coming to pass
before the Cross. Therefore, all of Joel's language needs to be brought through the Cross into
the New Testament in it's reality. (Review: Phase 6 for the pattern for interpreting the Prophets)
(Additional Continued on Page.2 Coming Soon)
Notes _____________________________________________________________________________________________
1. Strong's Greek Concordance #5046
2. Strong's Greek Concordance #907 - means to immerse, submerge; to make overwhelmed (i.e. fully wet)
3. Strong's Greek Concordance #1080 - - means to procreate (properly, of the father, but by extension of the mother); figuratively, to regenerate.
4. Strong's Greek Concordance #313 - to beget or (by extension) bear (again)
