Church of God, New World Ministries

Pentecost/Feast of Firstfruits/Feast of Weeks

In Palestine there are two annual harvests. The first, produced by the early rain, is the spring harvest; the second, produced by the “latter rain”, is the main harvest…the much GREATER fall harvest. These annual harvests depict two separate resurrections of human beings. The first harvest represents those God calls during this age to become His begotten children. The second harvest represents those who have not been called during this age but will come to the TRUTH at a much later date, in another age.

If you will recall, Passover symbolized Christ’s sacrifice for the remission of our sins and the days of unleavened bread symbolized the putting away of sin. So, what does PENTECOST represent? Earlier in this series we stated that it is impossible for human beings to develop the mind and nature of God, in and of, themselves. We need help! It was on this day God made that help available to mankind. On this day the Holy Spirit FIRST came to dwell within flesh, as prophesied in Joel 2:28. Peter confirmed this on the Day of Pentecost by saying, “But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of My Spirit upon all flesh…”

“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.” Remember, all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. All must repent of their sins, and accept the blood of Jesus Christ to cover those sins. They must then embark on a Christian life of overcoming sin and putting on the divine nature of God. (II Peter 1:4).

But, God has a Plan. That Plan is to call certain ones, at specific ages, to come to the knowledge of the TRUTH. He does not intend to call everyone at once. Paul explains this in I Cor. 15:20-24. “But now is Christ risen form the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order. Christ the firstfruits, afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming. Then cometh the end…” Notice what John said in John 6:44, “No man can come to me, except the Father which has sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.” Paul full well understood this concept and wrote to the Church in Corinth, “For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called… ” “Once you hear the word of TRUTH, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest (down payment) of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.” (Eph. 1:13-14).

James stated that God, “of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.” (James 1:18). Those called, who believe, who repent of their sins, are baptized, have hands laid on them, and accept the blood of Christ are begotten with the Holy Spirit. “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost (Spirit), whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” (John 14:26). How plain! God will call a group of people during this age and beget them with His Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will give them the power and ability to keep the Commandments of God and put sin out of their lives. It is through the power of the Holy Spirit that we can put on the Divine Nature of God. Those that are Christ’s at His coming will be changed into spirit beings and enter the Family of God. (I Thess. 4:13-17; I Cor. 15:50-52).

Just as we saw the True Church of God continue to observe the Passover and the Days of Unleavened Bread, so they continued to observe Pentecost. Read it in your Bible: I Cor. 16:8; Acts 20:16. Moses was inspired to write in Lev. 23:2, “Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, concerning the feasts of the Lord, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, even these are my feasts.” Had they not been assembled in a HOLY CONVOCATION on the first Pentecost we would never have read in our Bibles the record of the second chapter of Acts! Make no mistake; God’s Holy Days are in effect TODAY! They are in effect because they outline God’s Master Plan of Salvation. But that Plan does not end with Pentecost. What is the next step the Master Designer of the Universe has in store for mankind? More is revealed through the fall festivals of Trumpets and Atonement.

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