We can learn so much of the depth of God’s plan of salvation as we journey back to these feasts celebrated by the nation of Israel. This weekend the church remembers its birthday as we observe Pentecost. Many of us do not realize the significance of this Jewish feast.
It was to be celebrated 50 days after the feast of First Fruits which followed Passover. We know that Jesus became our perfect Passover Lamb and was sacrificed for us on the Jewish Passover. Three days later was the glorious resurrection of our Lord on the Feast of First Fruits, for He was the first fruit of them that slept. Now how awesome is that for God’s planning and detail?
The following feast was 50 days later, 10 days after His Ascension, known to us as Pentecost. Travel with me for a few moments back in time to Mount Sinai. Rabbinic scholars believe that it was on this day that God visited His people after their exodus from Egypt after the first Passover and through Moses, brought the Law down from Mount Sinai. This earthshaking day of visitation, trembling, and betrothal was the first Pentecost 50 days after the Passover in Egypt and became THE BIRTHDAY OF THE NATION OF ISREAL. Moses brings down the Torah or Law for the nation. Because of sin 3,000 die under the Law. The Old Covenant was a national covenant between God and His covenant people. And so the nation of Israel was established. They commit to follow Him in devotion and obedience.
The fulfillment of this Feast of Pentecost witnesses God visiting His people this time by His Holy Spirit. This is another earthshaking day of visitation and betrothal. But on this occasion God’s Presence is not as unapproachable as on the former visitation back at Sinai. Moses had ordered 12 boundary markers placed around the foot of the mountain to hold back the people lest the fire of God flash out upon them. Amidst the thundering and lightning God came down as a consuming fire and blackened the entire summit. Only Moses could stand in God’s Presence. But this next Pentecostal visitation was quite different. Tongues of fire descended from heaven to rest upon consecrated individuals gathered to wait upon God. All of them had received Messiah and had come to know Him in a personal way in the New Covenant. And so just as Moses had seen the burning bush that was not consumed, the fire that came down and rested upon the 120 in the upper room, was not to consume them but to fill them with the Holy Spirit and with power. This was the beginning of the Holy Spirit outpouring. And Joel saw this coming to a peak at the 6th seal at the very end of the latter days. See Joel 2:28-32. Whereas 3,000 had died under the Law on the previous visitation 3,000 are now saved by Grace as the Apostle Peter preaches to the crowds. And so on this awesome day in holy history, the 7th day of Sivan on the Hebrew calendar, the Feast of Pentecost comes to its appointed New Covenant fulfillment. The Feast of Pentecost, the fourth of the Seven Feasts of Israel is taken up to the next level. It becomes THE BIRTHDAY OF THE CHURCH.
CHALLENGE: God is asking you through the words of the apostle Paul “Have you received the Holy Spirit since you believed” Acts 19:2
You may be like the believers in Ephesus in Acts 19 who answer Paul “We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.” Be watching my video “The Baptism of the Holy Spirit” to answer questions and inspire you to seek your own Pentecost.
