PENTECOST - 2003 - Day 50

Fred R. Coulter - June 8, 2003

Greetings, brethren. This is the feast of Pentecost, 2003. And we’re very happy for being able to have this feast. This feast has a tremendous meaning for us. And this actually puts us half way through the holy day seasons. Because there are seven holy days. It starts out with the Passover. And the Passover is not holy day. And the reason that it isn’t a holy day is because when you look at what happened with Jesus Christ and all that had to be done, and all the beatings and laceration and crucifixion that He had to go through, it could not have been on a holy day. So God was very wise in making the Passover not a holy day. But it is still counted as one of the feasts of God.

So with the Passover, that is one; the two days of Unleavened Bread, that is three. And by the time we get here to Pentecost, that is four. That puts us halfway through. Because the other four are then Trumpets, Atonement, the first day of the Feast of Tabernacles, and in the Last Great Day. So we have four, and four, equals eight. So we’re halfway through.

Now yesterday we went ahead and we counted - and let’s understand something concerning counting. We had that all done. Now today as we begin, we’re going to start out as we always do on the holy days, that we do take up an offering. And God commands us to take up an offering as we find there in Deuteronomy 16, as we covered yesterday. Now let’s come here to 2 Corinthians, and let’s see something very important that we need to understand. Because since we are the firstfruits, and this is what this feast pictures, and because we are going to be harvested when Christ returns, let’s look at a living principle that is true. Let’s come to 2 Corinthians 9 in relationship to taking up an offering, and let’s look at a living principle. Because this applies to our whole way of living. And it’s also reflected in what we are giving. And it is a truism in everything that we do. For example, one of the things that we know today, inspiration is ninety-nine percent perspiration. In other words, you have to do all the preparing and then you are inspired. So it’s the same way with God’s word. If we don’t prepare then we won’t be inspired. And if we don’t do as it says here then we’re going to be finding ourselves in difficult position.

Now let’s pick it up here, 2 Corinthians 9:6. “But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly;...” Absolutely true. If you throw a few seeds into the ground you’re going to get some plants. And as we covered last time, some fall by the wayside, some fall in the stony places. But some fall in the thorns and thistles. And finally some fall into the good ground and yield thirty, sixty, a hundred fold. And those that do so, they sow bountifully, as Paul says. “...And he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart,...” And so this is something even though God requires it, like He did with the burnt offering, God requires a burnt offering to be given in a certain way. Whether it be of the bovine, whether it be of the sheep, or whether it be of the turtle doves. But it was to be given of one’s own voluntary free will.

So likewise in preparing an offering for Pentecost, since it is the harvest feast, we need to consider and ask, how are we sowing? Are we sowing sparingly? And if so, then look in your lives and see, are you sowing sparingly spiritually? Or are you sowing bountifully spiritually? Likewise with an offering. But you have to do it according as you propose in your heart according to the blessing that the Lord your God gives you. Not grudgingly, or of necessity, just because we take up an offering every holy day. “...For God loveth a cheerful giver” (vs. 6-7).

Now it’s very interesting. Then if you take the very opposite of that, does God love a grudging giver? You need to think about that and understand what’s happening, what’s taking place, and how that is. So that may help us understand a little bit more what we need to do, how we need to do it, and the attitude we need to do it. Now notice, then, here is a blessing. “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:…” (vs. 8). And so in taking up the offering we also need to understand that there are some other things that go with this. Let’s come back to Proverbs 3, and we’ll finish here. But this is also a truism that continues in everything that we do. Not just in taking up offerings, but in our relationship with God, how we serve Him, how we love Him, how we do the things that we do.

Let’s pick it up here in verse 5. “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel [that means the inner part of your being], and marrow to thy bones [because that’s where new blood is produced]. Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: so shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine” (Prov. 3:5-10). Now those are some things we need to consider in bringing an offering. Because God says in Leviticus 23 that we are to bring an offering. And we are to bring that to the Lord. Now we’ll see a little bit more about the offering, another special offering that was brought on Pentecost. So at this time we will pause and we will take up the offering.

(Pause)

Now as I said yesterday, we counted the count seven full weeks, and how the seven weeks reflect the church harvest. And we’ll pick up there in just a little bit. But now there is one more day. And that day is the fiftieth day, and that day is the day of Pentecost. Now, let’s come to John 6, and let’s read something. And this has been something which has puzzled people for a long time. And why did Jesus say it, and what does it mean? And the reason is, is because this is very easily confused with the feast of the Last Great Day, that is, the eighth day, the day after the seven days of the Feast of Tabernacles.

Let’s come to John 6:40. “And this is the will of Him that sent Me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on Him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day” (John 6:40, 44). Now what does this mean? He says the same thing in verse 44. “No man can come to Me, except the Father which hath sent Me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.” What is the last day? Is that the Last Great Day? No, it is not. In counting to Pentecost, what is the last day of the count? The fiftieth day. That is the last day for those who will be in the first resurrection. So you just think on that.

Let’s come back here to Leviticus 23, and let’s see what else that they did on the day of Pentecost. Now let’s pick it up here in verse, let’s just review this now, Leviticus 23:15. We’ll go verse 15, 16, and so forth, and then we will see what was to be offered, what was to be done, and the meaning of it and the symbolism of it and why God required it.

“And ye shall count unto you from the morrow after the Sabbath, from the day [that means including, beginning with the day] that ye brought the sheaf of the wave offering;...” Now it has to begin there because Christ was the first of the firstfruits. And on the first day He ascended to the Father, as we saw. So He is the first. Now we’re going to be resurrected at the last, the last day of the count to Pentecost, which is the fiftieth day. Now notice, He says, “...Seven Sabbaths shall be complete: even unto the morrow after the seventh Sabbath...” Now there is absolutely no way for those who still believe in a Monday Pentecost - and there be a great number who do - there’s no way that Monday is the morrow after the seventh Sabbath. It just cannot be. “...Shall ye number fifty days;...” And the fiftieth day is the last day. And since the count begins on the first day of the week, the count ends on the first day of the week, with seven complete weeks ending in a Sabbath all the way down to the fiftieth day. And that is the last day of the count, is it not? Yes indeed. So that’s what Jesus is talking about. Now let’s continue.

“...And ye shall offer a new meat [meal] offering unto the LORD.” Now it says meat offering here. Don’t confuse that with the flesh of animals, but this is a meal or cereal or grain offering. Now here’s what they were to do. And this is very unusual when you consider that we just finished the Feast of Unleavened Bread here just six and a half weeks ago. Because during the Feast of Unleavened Bread, leaven is a type of sin. But you see, God does not tell us to eat unleavened bread all year long. And so leaven is a type of sin during the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Now we’re going to see an offering that is given, which is also given with the peace offering, they are allowed to use leaven in a peace offering. And let’s read what it says here, verse 17. “Ye shall bring out of your habitations two wave loaves of two tenth deals:...” Now some people argue and say, “Well, you can’t be doing that on a holy day because that is work.” But you know, they don’t even read the Scriptures. Because it says you are allowed to do whatever is necessary for the keeping of the feast. And if God commands that these be made on the fiftieth day, then they should be made on the fiftieth day just like God says. And if God commands it, then how can it be breaking the Sabbath day? It cannot. Spare me. As we read earlier, lean not to your own understanding. Follow what the Scriptures say.

“...They shall be of fine flour; they shall be baken with leaven;...” Now why are they baked with leaven? We’ll see in just a little bit. And there were to be two loaves. Why not one loaf? Why not three loaves? Why not ten loaves? Why two loaves? We’ll see what the meaning of that is in a little bit. “...They are the firstfruits unto the LORD.” So these two loaves symbolize the completion of the firstfruit harvest unto God and the making of the finished product. Now furthermore, they are baked with leaven. Now when you put leaven into any bread dough, and you allow it to rise, you change the nature of the bread, don’t you? Now let’s see a parable, in just a minute, where Jesus showed the kingdom of God is like unto leaven. But first, let’s finish up here in Leviticus 23.

So they were to bring this offering plus the other animal offerings that were there. And let’s notice verse 21. “And ye shall proclaim on the selfsame day,...” Not the day before, not the day after. But on the self same day, which is the fiftieth day, the last day of the count of fifty, “...that it may be an holy convocation unto you: ye shall do no servile work therein:…” Now that is work for hire or pay. “...It shall be a statute for ever in all your dwellings throughout your generations” (Lev. 23:15-17, 21).

Now then, let’s go to Matthew 13. And let’s see, after one of the parables of the harvest, and so forth, then what we’re going to see is a special little parable that Jesus gave. Only one verse long, Matthew 13:33. “Another parable spake He unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven,...” Now this has to be the good use of leaven, right? If leaven is always sin all the time, then God surely wouldn’t have asked them to bake those two loaves with leaven. And He surely would not have said, “The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven,” would He? Can you say the kingdom of God is like unto sin? No you can’t. See, just during the Feast of Unleavened Bread leaven is a type of sin. “...Which a woman took,...” Now that’s interesting, isn’t it, because what is the church likened? It’s likened unto a woman. “...And hid [or that is, mixed in] in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.”

Now here is the good use of leaven. This pictures the change of nature that we will permanently have when we are resurrected. Just like leaven in bread dough leavens the whole thing, that’s what it says here. Then when it’s baked it is permanent. If it’s leavened and you don’t bake it you can beat it down again, can’t you, and make it flat again, can’t you? Yes. But when you let it rise and then you bake it you permanently change it. Now why do we have the two loaves back there in Leviticus 23? It’s likened unto the kingdom of heaven. So therefore, it’s likened unto, as we will see, the resurrection. And what happens at the resurrection? You have the finished product. That’s why you have the two loaves. And these were to be presented before the LORD on the fiftieth day.

Now the parallelism and the symbolism here is very profound. Let’s understand this. One loaf has got to mean all of those who were part of the firstfruits before the beginning of the New Testament church. Going clear back to Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Samuel, all of those who are listed that are going to be in the first resurrection. We know David will be there. We know some of the kings will be there. We know that all of the prophets will be there. So the first loaf symbolizes all of those from the time of creation coming down to the first resurrection. Now then, the second loaf pictures all of those from the time of the giving of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost to the resurrection, as we will see, which is on Pentecost. And that is the final product of the saints. As we have seen, they will be changed in a moment in the twinkling of an eye. Now we will cover some of those scriptures in just a bit. So that’s the meaning of the two wave loaves that were to be brought before the Lord on the fiftieth day.

Now let’s come to Acts 2, and let’s understand something very important. And here’s a principle that we can also apply in relationship to the church, in relationship to the resurrection. Jesus said in the book of Revelation in several places, chapter 1, and chapter 21, He says, “I am the first and the last. I am the beginning and the ending. I am Alpha and Omega.” Now then, question: when did the church officially begin? It began on Pentecost. So therefore, it follows that it will end on Pentecost. Now that’s an important principle that we can keep in mind.

Now let’s begin here, Acts 2:1, and let’s understand how this should be properly translated. Because this is in a present tense articular infinitive, which means, “And when the fiftieth day (that is, the day of Pentecost) was being fulfilled...” Now some people, to justify a Monday Pentecost, they say, “When the day of Pentecost had come to an end...” Well then, how do you celebrate it? How do you observe it if it came to an end? And since days end at sunset, this would have to have occurred after sunset at the Temple. And that doesn’t make any sense at all. Now one minister even went to the 1539 Great Bible - it’s also called the Cramner Bible - where he translates it, “And when the day of Pentecost had ended...” Now that’s obviously an improper translation. And all one has to do is just check the Greek and understand that it means, “And when the fiftieth day was being fulfilled...” And it was being fulfilled with strength and power and the giving of the Holy Spirit.

Now let’s understand something also that’s very important. God began the church at the Temple. Now why did He begin it there? Because that’s where God placed His name. And if anything was going to be done so that everyone would know that this was of God, it had to start at the Temple. And it had to be when the day was being fulfilled. That is, as everyone was bringing their two wave sheaf loaves that they would bring and give to the priests. And the priest would wave them before the Lord to be accepted, obviously then, and give them to the people, and then people could go ahead and consume those during the Feast of Pentecost for the meal that they would have. Now then, let’s notice what happened with all of the hundred and twenty being assembled there. Let’s continue on.

And “...they were all with one accord in one place.” Now that was on what was called Solomon’s Porch, which was one of the alcove meeting halls that they had to the side of the Temple. “And suddenly there came a sound from heaven...” Now just like the power of giving the Ten Commandments on Pentecost, God came from heaven, in person, in power and glory and spoke the Ten Commandments; and you can read of that back in Exodus 20. Here, likewise, this came from heaven, showing that it came from God. “…As of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them” (Acts 2:1-3). Now that was the appearance. This is not a baptism by fire. But in order for the disciples to understand that this came from God, God manifested it in that manner, and to show that it was of the power and the source coming from God. And that He expected them to go out and work and preach and have zeal and power, just like the fire here indicated.

“And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost [Spirit], and began to speak with other tongues [or languages], as the Spirit gave them utterance.” So we know that these are languages which were to be understood. It wasn’t confusion; it wasn’t babbling; and furthermore, in this miracle there were two aspects of it: the apostles spoke in tongues, of whatever language it was that the other Jews were hearing. And it was also in the hearing. So we have two miracles that took place. Verse 5, “And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven” (vs. 4-5). Now why were they there? To observe Pentecost. They were there on the fiftieth day. But let’s understand that God inspired a huge, bigger than usual crowd to come. Why?

Let’s look back at the events. You have the three and a half year ministry of Jesus, don’t you? Every year the Jews would come to the Temple, correct? Every year they would hear about Jesus. You could read of that, especially in John 7, and also in John 11 and 12. What were they talking about? All the miracles of Jesus. All the works that He was doing. They were wondering, was He the Messiah? And then they all heard that He was crucified and He died. And they were wondering, what was God going to do now on the next holy day, the Feast of Pentecost? Maybe they had even heard those who were close by, the nations that were close by – and of course you know, hey, news travels fast, even without a phone. Maybe they even heard that some of the disciples were already saying that they had seen Jesus raised from the dead. And then you know Jesus ascended to heaven on the fortieth day during the fiftieth day count. And the disciples went back to Jerusalem and waited for this very event here. So they were there observing the Feast of Pentecost.

And I just imagine they were wondering, “I wonder what’s going to happen? I wonder where those men are who followed Jesus? Where are these disciples? What are they doing?” And so God inspired the whole event. Notice, “Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and [they] were confounded [that is, they were amazed], because that every man heard them speak in his own language.” And what is it that the Jews like? What is it that Jesus said the Jews demand? They demand a sign. They demand a miracle. So God gave it to them. Here’s the miracle of speaking in their language. Now notice what they say, “…because that every man heard them speak in his own language. And they were all amazed and marveled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?” (vs. 6-7). Now that’s why God called Galileans. God doesn’t call the rich and the mighty and the educated. Jesus was accused of being unlearned, because Jesus was not taught at any of the rabbinic schools. You can read in Isaiah 50 that He was taught directly, miraculously, by God the Father. Who else would teach Jesus? Do you think any lying, deceiving Pharisees and Satan-followers can teach Jesus the truth of God? No.

So then Jesus, He got the Galileans. Because those in Jerusalem didn’t care for the Galileans. These were hicks from the back sticks. Dirty, smelly fishermen from the lake. And they said, “And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?” Then it lists all of them: “Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt,…Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, Cretes and Arabians,…” So long, long before Mohammed came the Arabians had the truth preached to them, right? Yes. And they were Jews out of Arabia. “…We do hear them speak in our tongues [or languages] the wonderful works of God” (vs. 8-11).

So right here on the day of Pentecost God performed a tremendous miracle. And God made it clear that the beginning of the gospel was going to start right here at the Temple where God placed His name. So therefore, what the apostles did had the full stamp and the visible proof of the authority and the power of God, Who had established the Temple and placed His name there. God was not going outside of the authority that He established. So He made it clear. And this was a miraculous event. Now it was showing the beginning of the spiritual preaching of the gospel to the whole world.

Now let’s notice what happened. “And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this? Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine. But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that do dwell at Jerusalem [that includes everyone who’s there for the feast], be this known unto you, and hearken [listen] to my words: for these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day” (vs. 12-15). That’s nine-o’clock in the morning. And that’s when the two loaves of the Wave Sheaf Offering was to begin to be offered.

“But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;…” Now we are going to see, not everything was fulfilled in what the prophet Joel said, in this first Pentecost. But we will see that it will be fulfilled in the last Pentecost. That is, when Christ returns. “And 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, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: and on My servants and on My handmaidens I will pour out in those days of My Spirit; and they shall prophesy: and I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke: the sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come:…” Now we are going to see where that will be fulfilled, and how it will be fulfilled. “…And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by Him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:…” (vs. 16-22).

See, they had a three and a half year witness. They knew. There was no doubt, you see. Then he talks about how He was delivered and crucified. He makes it clear that God raised Him from the dead; that He did not allow His body to see corruption. And he made it clear that David had not ascended into heaven. And he made it clear that the resurrection of Christ was the powerful thing that took place, and that was the basis of their ministry. Because Jesus said, “You’re going to be witnesses to Me of the resurrection unto the ends of the earth.” And that’s still true today. Because preaching the words of the apostles, their words and preaching goes to the end of the earth today in Bibles.

Now let’s continue. He says that God raised Him up to His right hand. Now let’s pick it up here in verse 36. And let’s see a parallelism that takes place here in relationship to the command in Leviticus 23. “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly,…” See, because many of those who were of the house of Israel were counted Jews because they came to the Temple, though they were of the other tribes. Let them know assuredly, “…that God hath made that same Jesus, Whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart,…” Now here’s God moving them to repentance. A spiritual operation on the day of Pentecost to move them to repentance, because Romans 2 says that it is God’s graciousness which leads you to repentance.

“…And [they] said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy [Spirit] Ghost.” And that’s then when God gave the Holy Spirit to all of those who repented. Obviously the Holy Spirit in power to preach was given to the apostles on that day. “For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.” And God is the one Who has to do the calling, and God is the one Who called these people on the first Pentecost when He gave the Holy Spirit and began the church. “And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day…” Which day? In the fulfilling of the fiftieth day. “…The same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls” (vs. 37-41).

Now that’s why in Leviticus 23 it says, “…And on the selfsame day you shall bring an offering unto the LORD. And it shall be a holy convocation unto you” (Lev. 23:21, paraphrased). So we have in Leviticus 23, “…on the selfsame day…”; we have here, “…the same day…” There we go. There’s the beginning of it, right here. And a tremendous thing that took place. And so there were three thousand that were baptized that day. Now I imagine that many of the 120 were there baptizing them, as well as the apostles. And we can understand, out of the 120 that surely 70 of them were of those that were sent out in addition to the apostles, as we find there in Luke 10. So there were plenty of people there to baptize them. And obviously they received the laying on of hands for the receiving of the Holy Spirit.

So we’ve seen the beginning of the fulfillment of it. Now let’s come to the book of Revelation, and let’s follow along, and let’s look at another fulfillment of the day of Pentecost. And let’s see how that comes. And let’s see what’s involved with it. And we will also answer the question: what about the 144,000 that are called “firstfruits”? Now then, we came through Revelation 3 and the seven churches, and each church is symbolic of the seven weeks of harvest. Then we have a scene of things that are in heaven, Revelation 4 and 5. Now let’s pick it up here, and let’s understand something that’s important. Let’s come first of all to Revelation 6, and let’s begin here. Let’s begin with the seals. Who is the one who is opening the seals? Jesus Christ is.

Let’s begin, chapter 6:1. “And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals [this is the first seal], and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts [living creatures] saying, Come and see. And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.” This is not Christ. This is the false Christ. Christ is still in heaven. He opens the seal. This takes place on earth. Now then, this is the great false religion which is going to encompass the whole world. That seal has probably already been opened. Now we don’t…we know that the second seal is going to be opened at a particular time. And we will see when that will be. But we need to look at some other scriptures.

Let’s look at the end of the church harvest. Because the seven weeks of harvest have a specific harvest, separate from the fiftieth day harvest, as we will see. Now let’s pick it up here, and let’s see what takes place right at the end. Let’s come to Revelation 12. This is what happens next before the second seal is opened. It says there is war in heaven, verse 7; it says it was the great dragon and his angels were cast down, verse 8. They accuse the brethren day and night before His throne, and they overcome them with the blood of the Lamb, the word of their testimony, and love not their lives unto death.

Now let’s pick it up in verse 12. “Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath,…” Now when he’s cast down he knows he has a short time, because it says, “…because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.” Now, a “short time,” that’s probably equivalent to a little bit more than three and a half years. We’re going to see that here in just a minute.

Now then, when he is cast down, verse 13, “And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child.” So just before the second seal opens, which is the beginning of the Great Tribulation, there is a time of persecution. And this time of persecution is going to be against the church. And the time of persecution will precede the beginning of the martyrdom. And as we will see a little later, the martyrdom is going to close the church age. It is going to close the harvest of the seven weeks. Now here’s why: “And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child. And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent” (vs. 13-14). So that’s three and a half years. So let’s see what happens during that time.