Pentecost is Not Fulfilled! Part 1

Pentecost is Not Fulfilled!

Part 1, “A Shadow of Good Things to Come!”

Chapter 8 Preview: Was the primary meaning of the Day of Pentecost fulfilled on the day when the Holy Spirit breathed new life into The Assembly (Ekklesia) that Yeshua (Jesus) promised He would rebuild [Strong’s 3618], or does Pentecost have more to do with events taking place “BEFORE the coming of the great and awesome DAY OF Yehovah (the Lord)”? This chapter is not focused on the first century Pentecost, it is about the prophesied events necessary to fulfill the essence of Pentecost’s meaning—that Peter thought was going to happen right then and there. Peter actually jumped the gun on Pentecost in 31 AD, thinking that “the Day of Yehovah” was about to begin. Why did he think that “the Day of Yehovah” was imminent then—and why should you now?

This chapter is really about what was NOT fulfilled on Pentecost of 31! For an explanation on the near future fulfillment of Pentecost see: Israel’s Seven Apocalyptic Days, Part 2.

Acts 2:1 When the days of Pentecost were fully counted, while they were all assembled together, —The Testimony of Yeshua, Gabriel Version (GV)

There is no doubt that this was the most amazing Day of Pentecost since the very first one, but it is not the Day that Peter thought it was going to be! This is what happened on Pentecost of 31 AD.

Acts 2:2-13 a sudden sound came from the sky, like a violent wind. The whole house where they were sitting was filled with it. 3 Flaming tongues of fire appeared to them that were divided, and rested on every one of them. 4 They were all filled with the sacred spirit, and began to speak in various languages, as the spirit inspired them to speak. 5 Now there were Jews residing in Jerusalem who revered Yehovah from every nation under the sky. 6 When the noise was heard, they all huddled together in amazement, because everyone heard them speaking in their own language. 7 They were all amazed, and astonished, saying to each other, “Arent all of these people who are speaking Galileans? 8 So how can EACH OF US HEAR THEM IN OUR OWN NATIVE LANGUAGE? 9 Parthians, Medes, Elamites, those living between the rivers, Jews and Cappadocians, those from the region of Pontus and of Asia, 10 those from the region of Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, from parts of Libya near Cyrene, those who came from Rome, Jews and proselytes; 11 those from Crete, Arabians. We hear them speaking in our own languages the wonders of Yehovah”. 12 They were all astounded and entirely at a loss, asking each other, “What could this mean”? 13 However others ridiculed them, saying, “They have been drinking new wine, and are intoxicated”. GV

In the Zephaniah 3 account, the language, (or speech), of the entire earth will be pure. Perhaps there will only be one language. (v.9) Peter knew that Father will purge out the wicked and leave a humble people (vs.11-12) It would be logical for a person who believed that the Kingdom of Father was about to be set up, to be expecting Zephaniah 3 to be fulfilled immediately. Great intervention in the languages of mankind, as seemed to be happening on that Day of Pentecost would require the intervention of Father. Knowing that the Sacred Days commemorate momentous events both past and even more so concern “things to come” (Colossians 2:17), Peter thought that the Day of Yehovah (the Lord) was being initiated on that very day! Based on his already existing assumption—that the end was near—that would have been “logical”. The apostles had no idea that two millennia would elapse first! After Peter’s death, however, John revealed much more about the time following the Great Tribulation, the time when the Two Witnesses will be killed, and when “peoples, tribes, tongues, and nations” would view their bodies. (Revelation 11:9) Then during the Day of Yehovah (the Lord):

Revelation 14:6 Then I saw another Messenger flying in the sky with the everlasting Good News, to give to everyone living on earth—every nation, tribe, language and people. GV

Acts 2:14-21 [continued]: Afterwards Simon Cephas stood up, with the eleven envoys, and spoke out to them, “Men, Jews, everyone who lives in Jerusalem; you should have no doubts about this, so pay attention to what I say. 15 These men arent intoxicated, as you suppose; because it is only the third hour. 16 This is what the prophet Joel predicted. 17 In the last days, it will happen, as Yehovah said, ‘I will pour My spirit on all of humanity, your sons will prophesy, and your daughters and your young men will see visions, and your old men will have dreams. 18 At that time I will pour My spirit on My servants, both men and women, and they will prophesy. 19 I will display miracles in the sky above, and unusual occurrences on the earth, blood, fire, and pillars of smoke. 20 The sun will be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and awesome Day of Yehovah comes. 21 At that time, whoever calls on the name of Yehovah, will live”! GV

None of these things went on to happened that day!

Was that Pentecost a partial fulfillment of Joel 2? Was the Day of Yehovah also being “partially” fulfilled? Were those days “partially” the last days? No! The rest of the day did not live up to Peter’s expectations! Not only will “all flesh”, in this instance-everyone alive, have Father’s spirit poured out on them so that they may repent, but the saints of Father will have even more of His Spirit poured out on them!

Here is the rest of the text of Acts 2. Not a single jot or tittle from Peter’s discourse should be omitted, it’s the only significant discourse on the meaning of Pentecost that we have!

Acts 2:22-47 Men of Israel, listen to what I say; Yeshua the Nazarene, a Man pointed out among you by Yehovah, by powerful events and miracles, that Yehovah performed before you thru Him, as you yourselves know— 23 He, being set apart by a previously envisioned plan, and the will of Yehovah, you have delivered into the hands of the wicked; and have crucified and murdered. 24 But Yehovah has resurrected Him, and has released the cords of the grave; because it was impossible for Him to be overcome by death. 25 Just as David said of Him, “I saw Yehovah continually. He is on my right hand side, so that I wont be moved. 26 So my mind rejoices, and my speech rejoicing, and my body will remain hopeful, 27 because you wont leave my body in the grave, nor will You allow your Sacred One to see bodily decay. 28 You have revealed to me the path of Life; You’ll fill me with joy with Your presence. 29 Men and Friends, allow me to speak freely to you about the patriarch David. He died, and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this very day. 30 He was a prophet, and he knew that Yehovah had solemnly sworn to him, “Of the fruit of your body, I will seat a descendant on your throne”. 31 He foresaw, and spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, that He wasnt to be left in the grave, nor would His body undergo decay. 32 This Yeshua, Yehovah has resurrected; and we are all His witnesses. 33 He is the One who is lifted high by the right hand of Yehovah, and has received from the Father the promised sacred spirit, and has sent this gift that you see and hear. 34 David hasnt ascended into Heaven; because he himself said, “Yehovah said to My Master, seat Yourself on My right hand side, 35 until I will make Your enemies a footstool under Your feet”. 36 So the entire family of Israel should know beyond all doubt that Yehovah has made this Yeshua, who you crucified, both Master and Messiah”. [Peter assumed that the whole house of Israel would soon be saved and that it was time for Yeshua to occupy the throne of King David! He also assumed that the pouring out, spoken of be Joel, was occurring at that very moment!] 37 When they heard these things, their consciences were pierced; so they asked Simon, and the rest of the envoys, “What should we do”? 38 Simon said, “Amend your ways, and be immersed, every one of you in the name of the Master Yeshua, for the remission of sins; so that you can receive the gift of the sacred spirit, [This receiving of the sacred spirit does foreshadow the day when Father will pour out His Spirit on all flesh. The Sacred Days really do depict things to come!] 39 because the promise is to you, and to your children, and to everyone living far away that Yehovah will call”. 40 With many more appeals he admonished them, saying, “Escape from this crooked generation”. 41 Some of them quickly accepted his teaching, and were immersed. That very day, about three thousand living beings were added to the Assembly. 42 They persevered in the doctrine of the envoys; and fellowshipped together in prayer, and in breaking bread. 43 A sense of awe came over everyone; and many signs and wonders were done by the hands of the envoys in Jerusalem. 44 All of the believers were staying together; and once prized possessions were now considered ordinary. 45 Those who had unneeded real estate, sold it, and distributed the proceeds to everyone who was in need. 46 They went to the Temple daily, with one mind; and at home they broke bread and ate it rejoicing, in singleness of purpose. 47 They praised Yehovah, and were favorably regarded by all of the people. Yehovah added to the Assembly every day, more who were being Rescued. GV

Incidentally, the only apparent reason that the early Saints all sold their homes and lived communally was because they believed that the end of the age was to begin immediately and that money was no object! As soon as this eror was discovered, the communal living ceased. During the Great Tribulation, when the worldly twelve tribes of Israel realize that money wont save them, “they will cast their silver into the streets”—in dispair! (Ezekiel 7:19)

Pentecost pictures the time when the “firstfruits” of Israel return to Father, they will be the first whole generation of Israelites to return to Father since the destruction of ancient Israel,! Most teachers claim that the “church” is the firstfruits; under that false premise you miss the entire purpose of Pentecost. Paul was describing the “mystery” of Israel in Romans chapters 9,10,and 11! The coming salvation of Israel remains a great mystery to most people to this very day! While “firstfruits” can refer to Yeshua, “the first of the firstfruits”, it also refers to Israelites in general or the 144,000 specifically (Revelation 14:4)

Romans 11:25-27 Friends, so that you wont be presumptuous, I want you to know of this hidden mystery—that mental blindness has happened to Israel, in some measure, until the Time of the heathens [2] has occurred; 26 and then, all Israel will be Rescued. As the Scriptures declare, “A deliverer will come from Zion, and will remove the lack of reverence of Jacob. 27 Then they will have My Covenant, when I have forgiven their sins”. GV

Our generation of Postchristian America is almost totally Scripturally illiterate. But “My words” will not totally vanish from our culture before The Restoration of All Things occurs:

Isaiah 59:20-21 “A Redeemer will come to Zion for those of the tribe of Jacob who turn from rebellion”, declares Yehovah. 21 “As for me, this is My covenant with them”, declares Yehovah. “My Spirit that is on you, and My words that I’ve put in your mouth, wont depart from your mouth, or from the mouths of your descendants, or from the mouths of their descendants’s”, declares Yehovah, “from today to forever”. —The Word of Elohim, Gabriel Version (WE)

Indeed all of Israel, that is, those who are accounted worthy to survive the coming Great Tribulation on Israel, will be saved! When the above described prophecies from Joel actually occur, then all of Israel will have the Holy Spirit miraculously poured out on them. Peter thought that he was witnessing the beginning of that outpouring! Why do you suppose that Scripture preserved this erroneous assumption about Pentecost? THIS was NOT, as it turned out, the fulfillment of Joel’s prophesy concerning the Day of Yehovah! Father allowed Peter’s assumption to be preserved, as delivered, to show us that even inspired apostles can misunderstand Father’s timing! It is readily understood that the apostles all assumed that the Kingdom of Father was very soon to be set up. Father did nothing to alter that assumption. Assumptions are a necessary part of life. We often have to use them until we have more complete knowledge.

The problem comes when we accept our assumptions as being fact. Israel was Father’s firstfruits thru a marriage covenant!

Jeremiah 2:2-3 Go, and herald within the hearing of Jerusalem, This is what Yehovah said: ‘I remember the kindness of your youth, your love as a bride; how you followed me in the wilderness, into a barren land. 3 ISRAEL was dedicated to Yehovah, THE FIRSTFRUITS of His harvest; anyone who devoured him became guilty; and disaster struck them,’ declares Yehovah. WE

Jeremiah 31:32 In this Covenant that I’ll make with the house of Israel after those days, announces Yehovah; “I’ll put My Torah in the very seat of their thoughts and emotions; I’ll write it onto their minds. I’ll be their Elohim, and they’ll be My people. WE

Pentecost represents the time when the Nations of Israel will again enter the Promised Land! It will be much like the original occupation of the land. Notice that the Feast Days were not to be celebrated until Israel came into the Promised Land. They were not celebrated in the wilderness during the 40 years without faith. Here is one of the many “When you come into the land” statements. In this instance it has to do with the wave sheaf offering, that starts the 50 day countdown to Pentecost, but the idea of waiting to enter Israel is the same.

Leviticus 23:9-11 Yehovah spoke to Moses, saying, 10 “Speak to the children of Israel, and tell them, ‘When you have entered the land that I will give to you, and gather a crop of abib, then you will bring the sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest to the priest; 11 and he will wave the sheaf before Yehovah, to be accepted for you. On the day following the Sabbath, the priest will wave it. WE

After the Second Exodus, the pioneers who resettle Israel will keep their first Pentecost in the restored Kingdom of Israel! These former slaves will have the opportunity and be given the understanding on the spot.

Isaiah spoke about the coming day of Israel’s salvation, when He will again “choose” Israel to be His Bride, this time as the Lamb’s wife, in a New [marriage] Covenant!

Isaiah 14:1 Yehovah will have compassion on Jacob, and will choose Israel again, and give them rest in their own land. Foreigners will join them and unite with the descendants of Jacob. WE

Isaiah 49:6-9 He asks, “It is too light of a thing that you should be My servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the protected people of Israel. I’ll cause you to be a light to the nations, so that you can be My deliverance to the far reaches of the earth”. 7 This is what Yehovah says, the Redeemer of Israel, and His Devout One, to the one who man despises, to the one who the nation abhors, to a servant of rulers; “Kings will see and arise; princes—and they’ll worship; because of Yehovah who is faithful, even the Devout One of Israel, who has chosen you”. 8 This is what Yehovah says, “In an acceptable time have I answered you, and in a day of deliverance I have helped you; and I’ll preserve you, and give you as a covenant of the people, to raise up the land, to make them inherit the formerly desolate heritage; 9 saying to those who are bound, ‘Come out’! and those who are in darkness, ‘Show yourselves’! They’ll feed along the road ways, and find pastures on every bare hill. WE

The church* is not the Bride! However the Assembly that began on the Day of Pentecost under Moses, and still remains, is the bride. The descendants of the twelve tribes of Israel, when they re-marry Father, will be the Bride at the Marriage Supper! You might need to see the evidence!

Yet in the spirit realm, other analogies apply to our brothers still in the flesh.

Isaiah 62:5 Just like when a young man marries a virgin, your sons will marry you [the land of Israel]; and like a bridegroom celebrates over his bride, that is how your Elohim will celebrate over you. WE

Father expects all of mankind to believe that He, our Creator, exists because there is a fantastic creation right in front of us! They are without excuse (Romans 1:20) who do not consider this to be true, even tho they might certainly wonder why they have no contact with Him. Logically, mankind should also believe that the Creator had some great reason for creating the universe. Furthermore all of us should rightfully think that humanity is the pinnacle of the Creator’s workmanship because of our unique minds. We are unmistakably not like the animals!

Just as it is the job of every scientist to prove his assumptions, we should try to prove ours. A scientist calls his assumptions hypotheses but despite the funny word, it is still his job to do everything he can, to systematically determine the truth. We are to be like that. Prove all things; hold fast that which you believe to be good. Never fail to believe, acknowledge and act on everything that you perceive to be truth. Even if you are later proven wrong, Father is far more concerned with your lack of cowardice than your perfect knowledge. Father will judge you on your works! Father wants for us to run the race, not waiting for others to catch up!

When an emergency occurs, such as being lost at sea, assumptions are a necessary survival skill. An assumption often decides whether you live or die. You have to learn to act in a world without perfect knowledge. Father deliberately adds knowledge, a little at a time, to see if we will continue to respond to Him.

Joel described the time when the rest of Israel will also receive Father’s Spirit! Notice that this prophecy is for Israel BEFORE the Day of the Lord. Father will deal with the rest of the world DURING and AFTER that day. The chapter break disrupts the uninterrupted discernment intended.

Israel First

Joel 2:28-3:2 “Afterward, that I’ll pour out My Spirit on all mankind; and your sons and your daughters will prophesy. Your old men will have dreams. Your young men will see visions. 29 I’ll also pour out My Spirit on the servants and slavegirls in those days. 30 I’ll show miraculous signs in the skies and on the earth; blood, fire, and columns of smoke. 31 The sun will be darkened, and the moon will turn blood red, before the great and dreadful day of Yehovah comes. 32 But everyone who calls on the name of Yehovah will be rescued; because on Mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, there will be survivors, as Yehovah has said, among the remnant—those who Yehovah is calling! Joel 3:1 “During the time of these events, when I bring about reparations for the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem, 2 I’ll gather all nations, and will bring them down to the valley of Jehoshaphat; and I’ll execute judgment on them there on behalf of My people, for My heritage Israel, who they’ve scattered among the nations when they divided My land. WE

Notice that the “all flesh” and the “whoever” is still in reference to the just liberated captives and that Father is about to gather “all [the other] nations” for “judgment”!

Returning to Acts 2, we see that Father inspired this chapter to be retained in the Bible for far more than to simply demonstrate that an Apostle could be mistaken. Peter quoted a good bit of Scripture from memory, which demonstrates that he really had thought a lot about those words prior to that day. Surely he would have asked for Yeshua’s thoughts on that prophecy while he had the opportunity. It’s doubtful that there is much of the Hebrew Scriptures that they had not inquired about, and learned about except for when the prophecies would unfold. That information was not made available. Daniel also asked: “When”

Daniel 12:6 Someone said to the man clothed in linen, who was above the water of the river, “How long will it be til the end of these amazing events”? WE

Daniel 12:8 ... what will be the outcome of these events?” WE

Many times tho, assumptions are made because we simply dont think to ask the right questions! We learn best by asking the right questions!

Peter knew that a day was coming when Father would pour out His spirit on “all flesh”. Peter knew that Israel’s young people would see visions and prophecy. Peter also knew that:

Acts 2:20 The sun will be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and awesome Day of Yehovah comes. GV

There really is coming a day when Father will pour out His Spirit on “all flesh”, and that day will only happen once. This amazing prophecy, that Peter believed was for his time, will be fulfilled just prior to The Day of the Lord! However, Peter really jumped the gun on the timing of the prophetic significance of Pentecost.

The Day of Trumpets represents the Day of Yehovah, the very end of this age. Surely Peter had known about the commonly believed seven thousand year plan—Father’s seven millennium long plan for humanity, with three millennial “days” left to go at that time. Yet he had set that aside, thinking that it was wrong.

Peter, knowing that Pentecost is the Holy Day that comes before Trumpets, “before the ... Day of the Lord”, expected that things were going to get bad quickly.

The Marriage Supper

Take a look at a bit more of the prophecy that Peter was quoting from.

Joel 2:15-17 Blow the shofar in Zion, dedicate a fast, call for a solemn assembly; 16 gather the people, set aside the congregation as sacred, assemble the elders, gather the children and nursing babies; the bridegroom should leave his chamber, and the bride her dressing room. 17 The priests who minister to Yehovah should cry between the porch and the altar; they should say, “Spare Your people”, O Yehovah, and dont allow Your possession to be scorned by the enemy, allowing the nations to rule over them. Why should the nations ask; “Where is their Elohim”? WE

This allusion to a marriage, that is not quite ready to happen, is in reference to the many other Scriptures that describe Father’s marriage to Israel at the time of this dramatic transition from slavery to redemption. While Peter applied these events to Pentecost, the context also seemingly includes the Day of Atonement of the same year, just prior to the Day of Yehovah. The previous chapter also describes fasting, yet it may not be a voluntary Day of Atonement fast, because the food supplies are all destroyed (Joel 1:16-20). So it alternatively could be a fast on Pentecost, a very unusual turn of events.

Hosea 2:13-21 I’ll come and punish her for the times when she burned incense to the Baals, when she adorned herself her rings and jewelry, and chased her lovers, and forgot Me”, declares Yehovah. 14 “But I’m going to allure her back. I’ll bring her into the wilderness, and speak tenderly to her there. 15 I’ll give her back her vineyards beginning there, and the valley of Achor [trouble] as a doorway of hope. She’ll respond there, as in the days of her youth, like when she came out of the land of Egypt. 16 Yehovah says, “That is when you will call Me ‘My Husband’ instead of calling Me ‘My Master’. ... 19 I’ll make you My wife forever. Yes, we’ll be married in righteousness and in justice, in steadfast love and in mercy. 20 I’ll be faithful to you; and you’ll finally know Yehovah. 21 On that day, I’ll respond”, announces Yehovah, “I’ll respond to the heavens, and they’ll respond to the earth [with needed rain]... WE

What spiritual inferences can be gathered from this original Pentecost instruction? The meaning of this Day is inseparable from the HARVEST. Why two loaves? Altho the rituals are suspended today, the symbolism is still quite relevant.

Leviticus 23:15-22 1“From the day following the Sabbath, from the day that you brought the wave sheaf offering, you’ll count off seven complete Sabbaths. 16 You’ll count fifty days, to the day following the seventh Sabbath. Then you’ll present a fresh grain offering to Yehovah. 17 Bring from your homes two loaves of bread, made of two-tenths of an ephah of fine flour, for a wave offering. Bake them with leavening, as the first crops [firstfruits] to Yehovah. 18 Present with the bread seven perfectly sound one-year-old lambs, one young bull, and two rams as burnt offering to Yehovah, along with their grain offering, and their liquid offerings. They will be burnt offerings, a soothing aroma to Yehovah. 19 Then sacrifice one buck goat from the flock as a sin offering, and two one-year-old lambs as a sacrifice of peace offerings. 20 The priest will then wave them, along with the bread of the first crops, as a wave offering before Yehovah, with the two lambs. They’ll be dedicated to Yehovah for the priests. 21 That same day will be proclaimed a dedicated convocation for you; you wont do your usual labor. This is an everlasting statute, wherever you are staying, thruout your generations. 22 When you harvest the crops of your land, dont harvest the corners of your field, or glean what was missed during the harvest; you’ll leave that for the poor and for foreigners. I am Yehovah your Elohim”. WE

What is a Firstfruit?

Both Yeshua and Israel are firstfruits! A firstfruit is essentially the first crop or the firstborn. Firstfruits on an actual tree are the first to ripen, better shaped, and more flavorful. The emphasis is on being called first and maturing first! Firstfruit can mean an actual fruit but it also refers to anything “first in place, time, order or rank” —Strong’s . However, this particular firstfruit is specifically in reference to the harvest of wheat.

Exodus 34:22 “You will celebrate the Feast of Sevens with the firstfruit of wheat harvest, and the Feast of Harvest at the year’s end [Tabernacles].

The ancient symbolism of waving a sheaf of barley toward the heavens before Father was a portrayal of Yeshua being presented to His Father in the heavens, following His crucifixion, on the very day of the wave sheaf.

The wheat harvest follows the barley harvest. Yeshua spoke of another harvest, comparing it to a wheat harvest. In fact He used the analogy of a wheat harvest three times, each time referring to the harvest of Israel into the Kingdom of Aloha (God), as well as the associated Judgment Day! For those who have eyes to see—this is a terrific reason to celebrate Pentecost—to celebrate the day we enter the Kingdom of Aloha!

Here are the three wheat analogies. Avoid the baptism in fire!

Matthew 3:11-12 I immerse you in water for a changed mind; but the One who comes after me is more powerful than I am; whose sandals I am not worthy to carry . He will immerse [or “baptize”] you in the sacred spirit OR in fire. 12 His winnowing shovel is in His hand; and He will completely empty His threshing floor, gathering the WHEAT into His storehouse; but He will entirely burn up the chaff with unquenchable FIRE. GV

Matthew 13:24-30 He related another analogy to them, “The Kingdom of the Heavens can be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field. 25 While everyone was asleep, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and then left. 26 When the plants shot up and ripened, the tares also appeared. 27 The servants of the householder came, and asked him, ‘Master, didnt you sow good seed in your field? Why are there tares with it’. 28 He told them, ‘An enemy has done this’. The servants asked him, ‘Would you like us to go and pull them out”? 29 He replied, ‘No, because while you sort out the tares, you’ll also uproot the WHEAT with them. 30 They must both grow together until the harvest, and at harvest time, I will tell the harvesters to gather the tares out FIRST, and bind them in bundles to be BURNED; but to bring the wheat into my granary’”. GV

John 12:23-31 Yeshua told them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to become glorious. 24 It is absolutely certain that unless a kernel of WHEAT falls and dies in the ground, it remains what it was; but if it dies, it yields a rich harvest ... 31 The world is being judged right now; and now the ruler of this world will be thrown out. [into Gehenna FIRE]. GV

There is coming a time when the voice of a holy Messenger will be heard and understood by every person of every language. You guessed it; this happens during the Day of the Lord, or “the hour of His judgment”. Another way to nail down the timing is that: “Babylon is fallen, is fallen”. Once Satan’s governments are shattered then Father will initiate “His judgment”. The timing is precise; “the everlasting evangel” (good news) is the sure message. The language phenomenon at that time may be the same as that of the historic Pentecost of 31 AD.

Revelation 14:6-8 Then I saw another Messenger flying in the sky with the everlasting Good News, to give to everyone living on earth—every nation, tribe, language and people. 7 He said with a loud voice, “Worship Yehovah, and praise Him; because His Judgment Day has come; worship the One who made Heaven and earth, the sea, and the springs of water. 8 Another Messenger, the second, followed him, saying, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, that made every nation drink the wine of the rage of her prostitution”. GV

Peter was prepared for the miracles of Pentecost, are you? Perhaps a literal new language will be downloaded into everyone’s brain as a sign, at that very time. On that Pentecost, everyone will undoubtedly be stone sober!

After reviewing this chapter in May of 2006, I decided that further elaboration was needed to explain why the apostles were under the impression that the end of the age was upon them. Here is that elaboration:

1 Peter 4:7 The end of everything approaches; so be sound minded, and watch prayerfully. GV

Yeshua’s murder, on Passover, followed by His surprising resurrection and His public departure to heaven just ten days prior to Pentecost really had His followers stirred up. But then on Pentecost a limited in scope (i.e. not on all of Israel) but astonishing outpouring of the Holy Spirit put a whole new perspective into the minds of the disciples. Certainly the most momentous times in history were taking place then. In the minds of those present on that amazing day of Pentecost these things were definitely signaling the arrival of the Everlasting Kingdom. Indeed, why would a person think that the signs and miracles would end?

Yet, in later decades, their entire concept of Scriptural prophecy came crashing down around them. Initially, as Peter explained on Pentecost of 31 AD, they were certain that that year’s Sacred Days would initiate the prophecies concerning the Everlasting Kingdom. Why would they doubt that the events portrayed in the Sacred Days would not continue to play out that very year. Passover saw fulfillment, and then seemingly Pentecost—why not the Day of the Lord on the Feast of Trumpets? Yet by the fall Feast days, they realized that the prophetic momentum had ceased!

So they began to focus on Yeshua’s comments about “this generation”.

Matthew 12:42 The queen of the south will be aroused from her sleep on Judgment Day, with this group of men, and will condemn it, because she came from a remote part of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and now Someone superior to Solomon is here. GV

In the Olivet prophecy, Yeshua spoke about what they believed that He meant the last generation—calling it “this generation.”

Matthew 24:34 It is certain that the Israelite race [Sharebtha: tribe, people, nation] wont disappear, whatsoever, and all of these things will happen. GV

Luke 11:32 The men of Nineveh will stand up on Judgment Day with this nation, and will condemn it; because they amended their ways at the heralding of Jonah, and Someone superior to Jonah is here. GV

Luke 11:51 ... from the blood of Abel, to the blood of Zachariah, who was slain between the Temple and the altar’. Yes, I tell you, ‘It will be blamed of this generation’.. GV

They concluded that the Kingdom would come to “we who are alive”.

Yet, as it turned out, it was another use of the term translated as “generation” when what Yeshua meant was “nation”! While they most certainly knew that “genea” primarily refers to a race of people, or a family, they nevertheless accepted the most optimistic use of the term, equating it to their single generation. But Judgment Day did not occur in their “generation”, and the “queen of the South” hasnt risen yet.

Here is another example of the Greek word genea referring to a group of men, rather than a generation:

Matthew 12:42 The queen of the south will be aroused from her sleep on Judgment Day, with this group of men, and will condemn it, because she came from a remote part of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and now Someone superior to Solomon is here. GV

Finally they figured out that their hopes for the Kingdom being established in their lifetimes was quite presumptuous, and they resumed their belief in the prevailing millennial week/7000 year concept.

Now for Part 2