Israel's Holy Days, Part 2

Israel’s Holy Days

Part 2, Pentecost or Feast of Weeks

Chapter 20, Part 2 Preview: (Back to Part 1). The apostles never said that the Holy Days were dusty archives of events long forgotten! Rather, they are prophetic signs of “things to come” ! The modern Israelite nations have almost entirely lost the knowledge of not only their Biblical heritage but also the truth that we were to have an “everlasting covenant” with God. This chapter explains, via the Holy Days, why it is that only the Israelite nations will suffer the prophesied “Great Tribulation”. The penalty for not keeping our covenant will be inflicted upon Modern Israel by the hands “of the peoples” whom we were supposed to set an example for! (Deuteronomy 4:5-10) The other nations suffer afterward:

After the Sabbath within the Days of Unleavened Bread, we are to count fifty days to arrive at Pentecost. Pentecost is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew “Feast of Weeks”. The only other special significance associated with the number fifty in the Bible, numerological speaking, is in reference to the Jubilee year, which comes every fiftieth year. Every fiftieth year was, among other things, a time to “proclaim liberty throughout all the land to all its inhabitants.” How fitting that following the seven year period—the seventh such period in the fifty year cycle—is a year long commemoration of Independence Day, independence from captivity!

I believe that Pentecost, with its countdown of fifty days is an annual reminder of what the Jubilee is all about. Altho the Day of Atonement is mentioned in this scripture as having special significance, we must keep in mind that in the Kingdom of God the Jubilee will be celebrated for an entire year by all of the survivors of Israel, and their descendants.

Leviticus 25:8-10 You shall count off seven Sabbaths of years, seven times seven years; and there shall be to you the days of seven Sabbaths of years, even forty-nine years. 9 Then you shall sound the loud trumpet [ram’s horn] on the tenth day of the seventh month. On the Day of Atonement you shall sound the trumpet throughout all your land. 10 You shall make the fiftieth year holy, and proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a Jubilee to you; and each of you shall return to his own property, and each of you shall return to his family. WEB

I believe that the reoccupation of the twelve modern nations of Israel of their ancient homeland, following their captivity, will begin on Pentecost and will end on Atonement during the very next Jubilee year. The entire liberation occurs between these special days and will be completed by the day of Atonement. This period is when everyone “shall return to his own property, and each of you shall return to his family”.

What does Leviticus mean by “return to his own property”? It is a reference to the actual reclaiming of the enlarged land of Israel by the twelve tribes, as prophesied by Ezekiel:

Ezekiel 47:13- 14 Thus says the Lord [Yehovah’]: This shall be the border, by which you shall divide the land for inheritance according to the twelve tribes of Israel: Joseph shall have two portions. 14 You shall inherit it, one as well as another; for I swore to give it to your fathers: and this land shall fall to you for inheritance. WEB

The division of the land explanation goes on to emphasize that foreign nationals will apparently be given a one time only opportunity to be grafted into the nation of Israel. God’s favor toward Israel will become so apparent that in a short period of time virtually the entire world would want to be a part of Israel, if given the opportunity. But it is the “firstfruits” of the non Israelite world who will be given this opportunity—probably by merit—because they will have fought for Israel’s liberation along with the seeming underdogs of a greatly outnumbered and outgunned Israel.

Zechariah 12:3 It will happen in that day, that I will make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all the peoples. All who burden themselves with it will be severely wounded, and all the nations of the earth will be gathered together against it.

Those foreigners who side with Israel in their fight to the death will become honorary Israelites with full citizenry rights:

Ezekiel 47:22-23 It shall happen, that you shall divide it by lot for an inheritance to you and to the ‘strangers’ [01616: gare “a newcomer lacking inherited rights”] who sojourn among you, who shall father children among you; and they shall be to you as the native-born among the children of Israel; they shall have inheritance with you among the tribes of Israel. 23 It shall happen, that in what tribe the stranger sojourns, there you shall give him his inheritance, says the Lord [Yehovah].

We too have a one time only opportunity to become honorary Israelites with the special privileges of even becoming her spirit born “kings and priests”

Revelation 5:9-10 They sang a new song, saying, “You [Yeshua] are worthy to take the book, and to open its seals: for you were killed, and bought us for God with your blood, out of every tribe, language, people, and nation, 10 and made us kings and priests to our God, and we will reign on earth.”

Firstfruits: Who Or What Are They?

Pentecost is the “day of the firstfruits”. We need to examine who the “firstfruits” are that people assume they already know. Are you a firstfruit?

We’ll see from several scriptures that Pentecost has a great deal to do with the “firstfruits”, but who or what are these “firstfruits”? The original instructions dont mention what is special about the occasion—we’re only told to celebrate it. So we start out with a bit of a mystery!

Numbers 28:26 Also in the day of the firstfruits, when you offer a new meal offering to [Yehovah] in your Feast of Weeks, you shall have a holy convocation; you shall do no servile work.... WEB

I have always heard that “firstfruits” is a term that describes both Yeshua and His church (off site). Can we validate this in the scriptures?

Here is the scripture that people cite to “prove” that both Yeshua and His Church are “the firstfruits”. Yet notice that it does not call “those who are the Messiah’s” firstfruits!

1 Corinthians 15:20 & 23 But now [the Messiah] has been raised from the dead. He became the firstfruits of those who are asleep [firstborn of the dead].... 23 But each in his own order: [Messiah] the firstfruits, [Strong’s 536] then those who are Messiah’s, at His coming. WEB

A simple reading of these verses shows that the topic concerns being “raised from the dead”. It’s not about who is a firstfruit. Yeshua was the first person to be raised from the dead in a spirit body. He was the first “fruit” —the first of the harvest.

When a Saint dies, our dead bodies are like a seed that is planted. But in due time we will be harvested— “raised a spiritual body” !

1 Corinthians 15:42-44 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It [the body] is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption. 43 It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. 44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body and there is also a spiritual body.

The commonality between us and Yeshua is not that we are all firstfruits—the commonality is that we will all be raised from the dead. If the point being made in this verse were that ‘we are also firstfruits’ then it would indicate by default that we are NOT firstfruits right now. Under that scenario, firstfruits would be “those who are Messiah’s, AT HIS COMING!” If firstfruits were a synonym for a Nazarene (“Christian” ) then why would we have to wait for “His coming” to be called firstfruit? In reality we are distant “secondfruits” as far as birth order goes.

We end up with firstfruit, when applied to a person, meaning the first person to do something.

I used to rely on James’ statement about firstfruits to show that “firstfruits” means the followers of Yeshua, until I remembered that the Book of James was written to all twelve tribes of Israel!

James 1:18 Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures. WEB

This simply states that humanity is the pre-eminent among earthly creatures, and that is kind of nice to know.

However, as James stated right up front, he was addressing the faithful remnant of the twelve tribes of Israel!

James 1:1 James, a servant of God and of the [Master Yeshua the Messiah], to the twelve tribes which are in the ‘Dispersion’ [Greek: diaspora]: Greetings. WEB

It is easy to demonstrate that Israel, as well as Yeshua, are “kind[s] of firstfruits”:

While you wont find a statement that the “church” is “firstfruits”, you will find that the faithful remnant of Israel had been God’s “firstfruits”. Israel was meant to be an exemplary nation—the nation to lead the rest of the world to God!

Jeremiah 2:3 Israel was holiness to [Yehovah], the firstfruits of His increase: all who devour him shall be held guilty; evil shall come on them, says [Yehovah]. WEB

Jeremiah also said that a few Israelites would forsake their evil ways and return to Zion, even if it is only one person of a city.

Jeremiah 3: 14-15 Return, backsliding children, says [Yehovah]; for I am a husband to you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion: 15 and I will give you shepherds according to My heart, who shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.

Paul also stated that “those who are my flesh”, meaning the elect of Israel who were not being “cast away” were “firstfruit”.

Romans 11:13-16 For I speak to you who are [‘gentiles’]. Since then as I am an apostle to [the other nations], I glorify my ministry; 14 if by any means I may provoke to jealousy those who are my flesh, and may save some of them. 15 For if the rejection of them is the reconciling of the world, what would their acceptance be, but life from the dead? 16 If the firstfruit [also Strong’s 536] is holy, so is the lump [literally: of swelling dough]. If the root is holy, so are the branches. WEB

(The lump of swelling dough is a correlation to the wave sheaf loaves of Pentecost.)

If we as Nazareness are also firstfruits, as were the elect of our ancient Israelite predecessors, it is not because we are in “the church” —it is because we have been grafted into the linage of Abraham! We were adopted by God into Abraham’s family because so many of the natural born descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob had forsaken true worship! Today we are chosen by grace. Race no longer gives us an edge, as is so very well spelled out in the entire chapter of Romans 11. And while we have more knowledge than the ancients we have an equal destiny.

Interestingly, when Peter spoke on the astonishing day of Pentecost of 31 AD, he was only speaking to Jews—physical firstfruits!

Acts 2:5-6 Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under the sky. 6 When this sound was heard, the multitude came together, and were bewildered, because everyone heard them speaking in his own language.

We see that the firstfruits are directly associated with Pentecost—also known as the “Feast of Weeks” at the time of the “wheat harvest”.

Exodus 34:22 You shall observe the Feast of Weeks with the first fruits of wheat harvest, and the ‘Feast of Harvest’ [Tabernacles] at the year’s end. WEB

The firstfruits include everyone who was a faithful part of the “first covenant” (that is, including “the strangers {non Israelites} who dwell among you”.) Many ancient Israelites will also receive salvation or “life from the dead”. Israelites, the firstfruits, are not castaways! There were many Israelites, even tho a minority, who were truly God’s people. They were so scattered that even Elijah was not aware that there were 7000 of them during his watch.

During Paul’s watch, “the Israel of God” was still the firstfruits, as well as anyone of any race who wanted to associate with the God of Israel, before Yeshua appeared.

Galatians 6:15-16 For in [our Messiah Yeshua] neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. 16 As many as walk by this rule, peace and mercy be on them, and on [the Israel of God (KJV)]. WEB

The word “first” is a clue. They were the first harvest to await the reward of “life from the dead”.

Romans 11:1-4 I ask then, did God [cast away] His people? May it never be! For I also am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. 2 God didnt [cast away] His people, which He foreknew. Or dont you know what the Scripture says about Elijah? How he ‘pleads’ [interestingly, this is present tense] with God against Israel: 3 “Lord, they have killed your prophets, they have broken down your altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life.” 4 But how does God answer him? “I have reserved for Myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to Baal. WEB

Both John the Baptist and Yeshua used wheat symbolically to represent the righteous. We dont often associate wheat with being a fruit in English, only botanists do. Yet during Yeshua’s ministry it was acceptable speech and He made a distinctly human association between wheat and the end time harvest—Judgment Day.

Matthew 3:12 His winnowing fork is in His hand, and He will thoroughly cleanse His threshing floor. He will gather His wheat into the barn, but the chaff He will burn up with unquenchable fire. WEB

Matthew 13:24-30 He set another parable before them, saying, “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field, 25 but while people slept, his enemy came and sowed [tares] also among the wheat, and went away. 26 But when the blade sprang up and brought forth fruit, then the [tares] appeared also. 27 The servants of the householder came and said to him, ‘Sir, didnt you sow good seed in your field? Where did [the tares] come from?’ 28 “He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ “The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and gather them up?’ 29 “But he said, ‘No, lest perhaps while you gather up the [tares], you root up the wheat with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest, and in the harvest time I will tell the reapers, “First, gather up the [tares], and bind them in bundles to burn them; but gather the wheat into my barn. WEB

Leavened Bread and Firstfruits

While Israel is scattered among the nations they are certainly not one nation. It is common knowledge that Israel became two independent nations before their ancient captivity. But this is an unacceptable state of affairs that God will not allow to exist again in the future:

Ezekiel 37:21-22 Say to them, Thus says [Yehovah]: Behold, I will take the children of Israel from among the nations, where they are gone, and will gather them on every side, and bring them into their own land: 22 and I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king to them all; and they shall be no more two nations, neither shall they be divided into two kingdoms any more at all.... WEB

As long as Israel is scattered among the nations it remains in a “leavened” (sinful) condition, as they were in Egypt. The following scripture conclusively ties leaven to sin.

1 Corinthians 5:6-8 Your glorying is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? 7 Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Messiah, our Passover was sacrificed for us. 8 Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. NKJV

What is be the significance of the two wave loaves? Notice that they are both “leavened” and “firstfruits”! What might this seeming contradiction mean? Did the symbolic meaning of leaven do a total turnaround from representing sin to representing purity somewhere between Unleavened Bread and Pentecost? Actually, the leavened House of the tribes of Israel and the House of Judah, will soon be uprooted from their homelands and go into captivity! Israel will begin a literal Exodus from their sins and begin a great reconciliation with God, as illustrated by the two loaves “baked with leaven”. “Messiah our Passover” had to take upon Himself all of the sins of the world and become temporarily leavened to atone for our sins and become our Savior. (As a side note; why do the churches observe the Passover [Communion or the Eucharist] with unleavened bread?)

Leviticus 23:17 You shall bring from your dwellings two wave loaves of two-tenths of an ephah. They shall be of fine flour; they shall be baked with LEAVEN. They are the FIRSTFRUITS to the LORD. NKJV

It was with great suffering that Yeshua died not only for His own nation but also all of the other children of God. Might the leavened loaves only become acceptable to God at a time after they have been tried in the fire?

John 11:50-52 ... nor do you consider that it is advantageous for us that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation not perish.” 51 Now he didnt say this of himself, but being high priest that year, he prophesied that [Yeshua] would die for the nation, 52 and not for the nation only, but that he might also gather together into one the children of God who are scattered abroad. WEB

It will also be with great suffering and fiery trials that God will purify Israel during the seven trumpet plagues. But reconciliation will ensue on Judgment Day. While billions of people who have died will be judged on Judgment Day, others will be tested “like gold” and be found worthy to keep on living! They will repopulate the earth.

Zechariah 13:8-9 It shall happen that in all the land,” says [Yehovah], “two parts in it will be cut off and die; but the third will be left in it. 9 I will bring the third part into the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will test them like gold is tested. They will call on My name, and I will hear them. I will say, ‘It is My people;’ and they will say, ‘[Yehovah] is my God.’ WEB

Isaiah 10:16 Therefore the Lord, [Yehovah] of Armies, will send among His fat ones leanness; and under His glory a burning will be kindled like the burning of fire. WEB

Luke 3:16 John answered them all, “I indeed baptize you with water, but He comes who is mightier than I, the latchet of whose sandals I am not worthy to loosen. He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit ‘and’ [or] fire.... WEB

Presumably we want the Holy Spirit rather than the fire.

Pentecost represents the time when the Nations of Israel will again prepare to enter the Promised Land! It will be much like the original occupation of the land. Notice that the Feast of Firstfruits (Pentecost) was not to be celebrated until Israel came into their promised land. It was not celebrated in the wilderness.

Leviticus 23:9-11 [Yehovah] spoke to Moses, saying, 10 “Speak to the children of Israel, and tell them, ‘When you have come into the land which I give to you, and shall reap its the harvest, then you shall bring the sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest to the priest: 11 and he shall wave the sheaf before [Yehovah], to be accepted for you. On the next day after the Sabbath the priest shall wave it. WEB

The entry into the Promised Land, after the great ordeal in the wilderness, was a significant event. Notice the admonitions and importance that God placed on the occasion of the ancient entry into the Promised Land.

Deuteronomy 11:1-12 Therefore you shall love [Yehovah] your God, and keep His instructions, and His statutes, and His ordinances, and His commandments, always. 2 Know this day: for I dont speak with your children who have not known, and who have not seen the chastisement of [Yehovah] your God, His greatness, His mighty hand, and His outstretched arm, 3 and His signs, and His works, which He did in the midst of Egypt to Pharaoh the king of Egypt, and to all his land; 4 and what He did to the army of Egypt, to their horses, and to their chariots; how He made the water of the Red Sea to overflow them as they pursued after you, and how [Yehovah] has destroyed them to this day; 5 and what He did to you in the wilderness, until you came to this place; 6 and what He did to Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, the son of Reuben; how the earth opened its mouth, and swallowed them up, and their households, and their tents, and every living thing that followed them, in the midst of all Israel: 7 but your eyes have seen all the great work of [Yehovah] which He did. 8 Therefore you shall keep all the commandment which I command you this day, that you may be strong, and go in and possess the land, where you go over to possess it; 9 and that you may prolong your days in the land, which [Yehovah] swore to your fathers to give to them and to their seed, a land flowing with milk and honey. 10 For the land, where you go in to possess it, isnt as the land of Egypt, from whence you came out, where you sowed your seed, and watered it with your foot, as a garden of herbs; 11 but the land, where you go over to possess it, is a land of hills and valleys, and drinks water of the rain of the sky, 12 a land which [Yehovah] your God cares for: the eyes of [Yehovah] your God are always on it, from the beginning of the year even to the end of the year. WEB

At this time in history there were only two adult men who had lived thru the Exodus who were part of the faithful remnant of Israel—Caleb and Joshua!

Numbers 14:29-31 ... your dead bodies shall fall in this wilderness; and all who were numbered of you, according to your whole number, from twenty years old and upward, who have murmured against me, 30 surely you shall not come into the land, concerning which I swore that I would make you dwell therein, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun. 31 But your little ones, that you said should be a prey, them will I bring in, and they shall know the land which you have rejected. WEB

During the next captivity, some of the more knowledgable Israelites will long to cross over into Israel and begin celebrating God’s Holy Days, as was done previously:

Deuteronomy 27:2-9 It shall be on the day when you shall pass over the Jordan to the land which [Yehovah] your God gives you, that you shall set yourself up great stones, and plaster them with plaster: 3 and you shall write on them all the words of this law, when you have passed over; that you may [enter] the land which [Yehovah] your God gives you, a land flowing with milk and honey, as [Yehovah], the God of your fathers, has promised you.... 9 Moses and the priests the Levites spoke to all Israel, saying, “Keep silence, and listen, Israel: this day you have become the people of [Yehovah] your God. WEB

Undoubtedly, the modern Israelite Nations will experience the same solemnity and awe as the first pioneers take their celebrated steps across the border into the Promised Land!

In Acts we read of the first Feast of Pentecost that was celebrated by the disciples following the sacrifice of Yeshua, in what I believe to be the Jubilee year of 27 AD. Acts 2 is all about the events of that special day.

Acts 2:1 Now when the day of Pentecost had [fully] come, they were all with one accord in one place. WEB

The unmistakable message that Peter delivered that day had to do specifically with the events just prior to the fiery Day of the Lord. Notice that verses 17-21 of Acts are a five verse quotation from Joel 2:28-32, which describes some of the unusual events that will take place during that time. The entire three chapter book of Joel is about the preparations for, and the fulfillment of, the Day of the Lord. To read the book of Joel is to understand what Peter thought was beginning to take place before his eyes. Peter actually believed, on that special Day of Pentecost, that the Day of the Lord was beginning! But were the end time prophecies of Joel really beginning on that special Feast of Pentecost?

Acts 2:17-21 ‘It will be in the last days, says God, that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh. Your sons and your daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions. Your old men will dream dreams. 18 Yes, and on My servants and on My handmaidens in those days, I will pour out My Spirit, and they will prophesy. 19 I will show wonders in the sky above, and signs on the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and billows of smoke. 20 The sun will be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and [awesome] day of the LORD. 21 It will be, that whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved. WEB

The context of the above verses (again, quoted from the Joel 2) appears to be in preparation for the Day of Atonement—the annual “fast” day described later on in this chapter.

Joel 2:15-16 Blow the trumpet in Zion! Sanctify a fast. Call a solemn assembly. 16 Gather the people. Sanctify the assembly. Assemble the elders. Gather the children, and those who suck the breasts. Let the bridegroom go forth from his room, and the bride out of her chamber. WEB

As it turned out, none of the painful prophecies of Joel happened that year, nor have they ever happened—yet. A full explanation of what DID NOT happen on Pentecost of that year is covered in Pentecost is Not Fulfilled!

I believe that the fast of Joel 1 is that of an unavoidable fast day due to famine. Fasting on Pentecost! After all, Peter specifically associated Pentecost to the events of the book of Joel: “But this is what has been spoken through the prophet Joel”. Joel seemingly emphasizes the events from Pentecost to Atonement just prior to the Everlasting Kingdom:

Joel 1:8-15 Mourn like a virgin dressed in sackcloth for the husband of her youth! 9 The meal offering and the drink offering are cut off from [Yehovah’s] house. The priests, [Yehovah’s] ministers, mourn. 10 The field is laid waste. The land mourns, for the grain is destroyed, the new wine has dried up, and the oil languishes. 11 Be confounded, you farmers! Wail, you vineyard keepers; for the wheat and for the barley; for the harvest of the field has perished. 12 The vine has dried up, and the fig tree withered; the pomegranate tree, the palm tree also, and the apple tree, even all of the trees of the field are withered; for joy has withered away from the sons of men. 13 Put on sackcloth and mourn, you priests! Wail, you ministers of the altar. Come, lie all night in sackcloth, you ministers of my God, for the meal offering and the drink offering are withheld from your God’s house. 14 Sanctify a fast. Call a solemn assembly. Gather the elders, and all the inhabitants of the land, to the house of [Yehovah], your God, and cry to [Yehovah]. 15 Alas for the day! For the day of [Yehovah] is at hand, [Judgment Day, Revelation 11:15-18] and it will come as destruction from the Almighty. 16 Isnt the food cut off before our eyes.... WEB

I find it amazing that Peter, after spending many years with Yeshua, knew nothing about a “Church Age”. Even after Yeshua’s death he believed that he was in the “last days”. He probably viewed the Roman occupation as the end time captivity of Israel, as did his countrymen. Whatever his reasoning, he certainly “jumped the gun” thinking that the Feast of Pentecost, particularly that very day of Pentecost, would initiate the Day of the Lord. This is the only account concerning the Day of Pentecost in the Greek Scriptures, except for references only made in passing. So if we are to gain clues about it’s prophetic significance from the apostles—we need to understand that it was thought to represent the beginning of the end time! Take time to read the three chapter book of Joel to understand what Peter actually thought was beginning to occur right in front of them.

The lesson to be learned is that we should not trust anyones judgment concerning the end time if it does not conform to the inspired prophecies. God will not cut short His plan concerning the “time appointed” but He will cut short Satan’s aspirations!

God’s original plan was to make an example of Israel for the people of the world. True Nazarenes are only working a little better.

Deuteronomy 4:5-8 Behold, I have taught you statutes and ordinances, even as [Yehovah] my God commanded me, that you should do so in the midst of the land where you go in to possess it. Keep therefore and do them [the statutes and judgments]; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples, who shall hear all these statutes, and say, “Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.” 7 For what great nation is there, that has a god so near to them, as [Yehovah] our God is whenever we call on Him? 8 What great nation is there, that has statutes and ordinances so righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day? WEB

Israel deviated from the God’s plan, but God is still determined to carry it out! The redemption of Israel is the entire purpose of Bible prophecy! Zechariah described the time when Israel will know their God and the rest of the world will be beating a path to the gates of Zion!

Zechariah 8:22-23 Yes, many peoples and strong nations will come to seek [Yehovah] of Armies in Jerusalem, and to entreat the favor of [Yehovah].” 23 Thus says [Yehovah] of Armies: “In those days, ten men will take hold, out of all the languages of the nations, they will take hold of the skirt of him who is a Jew, saying, ‘We will go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.’” WEB

Israel was to have saved the world, instead Israel needs to be saved. Isaiah described what Yeshua will do to fulfill the role that Israel was originally meant to fulfill prior to their rebellion.

Isaiah 49:5-10 Now says [Yehovah] who formed Me from the womb to be His servant, to bring Jacob again to Him, and that Israel be gathered to Him (for I am honorable in the eyes of [Yehovah], and My God is become My strength); 6 yes, He says, “It is too light a thing that You should be My servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give You for a light to the nations, that You may be My salvation to the end of the earth.” 7 Thus says [Yehovah], the Redeemer of Israel, and His Holy One, to Him whom man despises, to Him whom the nation abhors, to a Servant of rulers: “Kings shall see and arise; princes, and they shall worship; because of [Yehovah] who is faithful, even the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen You.” 8 Thus says [Yehovah], “In an acceptable time have I answered You, and in a day of salvation have I helped You; and I will preserve You, and give You for a covenant of the people, to raise up the land, to make them inherit the desolate heritage: 9 saying to those who are bound, ‘Come out!’; to those who are in darkness, ‘Show yourselves!’ “They shall feed in the ways, and on all bare heights shall be their pasture. 10 They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun strike them: for He who has mercy on them will lead them, even by springs of water He will guide them. WEB

Notice very carefully that Isaiah 49 above and Revelation 7 are both referring to the salvation of the world!

Revelation 7:2-17 I saw another angel ascend from the sunrise, having the seal of the living God. He cried with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was given to harm the earth and the sea, 3 saying, “Dont harm the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, until we have sealed the bondservants of our God on their foreheads!” 4 I heard the number of those who were sealed, one hundred forty-four thousand, sealed out of every tribe of the children of Israel.... 9 After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude, which no man could number, out of every nation and of all tribes, peoples, and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, dressed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands. 10 They cried with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation be to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” 11 All the angels were standing around the throne, the elders, and the four living creatures; and they fell on their faces before his throne, and worshiped God, 12 saying, “Amen! Blessing, glory, wisdom, thanksgiving, honor, power, and might, be to our God forever and ever! Amen.” 13 One of the elders answered, saying to me, “These who are arrayed in white robes, who are they, and from where did they come?” 14 I told him, “My lord, you know.” He said to me, “These are those who came out of [survived] the Great Tribulation. They washed their robes, and made them white in the Lamb’s blood. 15 Therefore they are before the throne of God, they serve him day and night in his temple. He who sits on the throne will spread His tabernacle over them. 16 They will never be hungry, neither thirsty any more; neither will the sun beat on them, nor any heat; 17 for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne shepherds them, and leads them to springs of waters of life. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” WEB

Again, as we read from the closing remarks of Peter’s Pentecost address, we should bear in mind that Peter thought that his words were strictly a message to “all the House of Israel” as they were entering the end time Day of the Lord. This will truly be the message that the Two Witnesses will deliver to the 144,000 “sealed” Israelites, and the “great multitude” that follows them “out of Great Tribulation”. What other message could possibly be appropriate as they approach their Independence Day?

Acts 2:36-43 Therefore let ALL THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL know assuredly that God has made this Yeshua, whom you crucified, both [Master] and [Messiah]. 37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, ‘Men and brethren, what shall we do?’ 38 Then Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of [Yeshua the Messiah] for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.’ 40 And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, ‘Be saved from this perverse generation.’ 41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. 42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.

Here is the perfect illustration about how the truth concerning the Messiah will be received. Israel, and the Jewish people in particular, will undoubtedly be “cut to the heart”. Here is proof that God’s plan of repentance and salvation will come to fruition.

Zechariah 12:6-11 In that day I will make the governors of Judah [including a modern day Zerubbabel] like a firepan in the woodpile, and like a fiery torch in the sheaves; they shall devour all the surrounding peoples on the right hand and on the left, but Jerusalem shall be inhabited again in her own place—Jerusalem. 7 The LORD will save the tents of Judah first, so that the glory of the house of David and the glory of the inhabitants of Jerusalem shall not become greater than that of Judah. 8 In that day the LORD will defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; the one who is feeble among them in that day shall be like David, and the house of David shall be like God, like the Angel of the Lord before them. 9 It shall be in that day that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem. 10 And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn. 11 In that day there shall be a great mourning in Jerusalem, like the mourning at Hadad Rimmon in the plain of Megiddo.

Firstfruits are Israelites—the people that God first revealed Himself to! No, “God didnt reject His people, which He foreknew”. But you have to admit that Plan “A” —national salvation—did not work too well, but ancient Israel was given the opportunity. Plan “B” is God working with an Assembly of chosen individuals rather than a “chosen” nation. Plan “B” is not working too well at this point in time either but that is prophesied to change. I urge you to become a part of the “moral minority” !

The Feast of Trumpets is Part 3

(To resolve the controversy about Sunday vs the Pharasaical Sivan the 6th click this off-site link).

Some scriptures are from the “New King James Version®, Copyright © 1982, Thomas Nelson, Inc. All rights reserved.” “Bible text from the New King James Version® is not to be reproduced in copies or otherwise by any means except as permitted in writing by Thomas Nelson, Inc., Attn: Bible Rights and Permissions, P.O. Box 141000, Nashville, TN 372 14-1000.”