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Mustard Seed May/June 2004
Study To Show Yourself Approved
A Glimpse At Pentecost
Mustard Seed - May/June 2004
God’s Holy Days are based on the agricultural seasons in Palestine. Pentecost in early summer, pictures the first, small harvest of those few that God is working with at this time. God’s firstfruits.
Fifty days after Christ’s sacrifice was accepted in heaven, the Holy Spirit came according to the promise Christ had made (Acts 2:1). In the Old Testament on the day of Pentecost, there was a special offering made (Lev.23: 17). These loaves were to symbolize the first-fruits, as they are called also in the New Testament Jas.l:18.
After Christ was accepted as the wave sheaf, the general harvest of firstfruits could begin. Still, only a small harvest of people during this age is to be reaped at the second coming of Christ. These “firstfruits” are mentioned in the plan of resurrections (l Cor.15:20-23 & I Thes. 4:13-18). First Christ the wave sheaf, was resurrected and became the first of the firstfruits of God’s master plan (Col. 1:18), a period of time symbolized by the fifty-day period ending with Pentecost.
The fifty-day period between the wave sheaf offering and Pentecost also symbolizes what has been going on since Jesus Christ sent the Holy Spirit in 31 A.D. During this time God has been calling out an elect or chosen people as first fruits of His master plan. Pentecost is just one more reminder of an Eternal God carrying out an eternal purpose for his creation.
The Holy Spirit and Pentecost
I’ve compared the Holy Spirit to a tool with attachments. The Spirit of God is one spirit with different gifts (attachments I Cor. 12 & Eph. 4). These scriptures are pointing out that the spirit of God is ever working in the Church. The spirit of God is called the comforter (John 14), Living Waters (John 7:38) and is referred to as the Earnest of our inheritance (Eph, 1:13-14) Some will not forget to observe the day, but will forget to use the Holy Spirit, or as Rom. 8:14 says, “For as many as are led by the spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” Let’s remember a comforter gives comfort. Living waters would be waters that has life (nutrients) in it. When we look at the earnest (down payment, pledge, or security) that God has given to us, we can truly say that “God has truly blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly things in Christ” (Eph. 1:3). Every Christian is pregnant with the power of the Holy Spirit.
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